Mint is one of the most popular perennial plants in America, Africa, and other countries. There exist a wide variety of mint plants, including spearmint, peppermint, apple mint, etc., that you could select from to nurture. I know the category of mint plant that I should opt for and which will thrive in my environment. Nurturing it with foreknowledge can make things easier. In this article, there are a few approaches I will teach you to water and tend your mint plant.
How to Water Indoor Mint
When watering an indoor mint, check the moisture level because plants planted indoors are less exposed to direct sunlight. This reduces the rate at which water in the soil or container dries off; this makes it essential to note. When you water a mint plant without checking how moist or dry the soil is, the excess water in the soil will cause the root to wilt.
Mint plants can absorb much water and still grow fine, but for their lifespan, water it appropriately to avoid soaking the plant. It is advisable to check the measurement of the water in the soil with your finger to know the depth of how dry or moist the soil is. It is okay to water your mint plant till the soil is damp but not drenched with water. Usually, watering indoor mint should happen twice a week and if the top of the soil feels dry, give it an even watering to avoid root rot. If the temperature is high, increase the amount of water but avoid saturation.
How To Water Outdoor Mint
Mint plants that grow in wild places like lakes, river banks, etc., prove that mint requires a lot of water to thrive. It is better to water a mint plant than to leave it to dry off. While watering them, be more careful not to soak the soil with water as it makes the root rot away. Still, inadequate water makes mint wilt. As a gardener, you should know the type of soil you plant your mint to monitor its texture and how much it absorbs moisture from the ground.
Do not water your mint lightly, as it does not let the root of the mint plant stretch more profoundly into the soil. More moisturizing allows the root to grow deep into the ground, which helps it hydrate during hot and dry climates. Watering your mint plant in the morning stimulates mint plants, especially in arid and hot areas. For mint plants planted outside, they do not require watering during rainy seasons as they will be consistently watered by rain.
How Often To Water Mint
When it comes to how frequently you should water mint plants, there is no special or general requirement. What you should take into consideration is the soil type, weather, and space. Nevertheless, it will be okay to water it twice a week or daily, depending on climate change. Mint plants require a lot of water, and at the same time, you should regulate watering. Different watering frequencies should be adhered to, and temperate weather due to the time of the year might even require watering once a week. So, the solution to how often you should water your mint plant is perfect timing.
The soil type in which you grow your mint plant is essential. Soils are of different textures, ranging from a light texture to a thick consistency. The lighter the soil texture, the lower the water you give your mint plant. That is why planting mint on a much thicker texture makes it span long as it helps the root grow deeper, absorbing enough water for its growth without rotting away due to excess moisture. Due to climatic changes in a different environment, you should properly take care of it so it won’t rot or wilt away in the long run.
Mint is a sun-loving plant; therefore, leaving it in direct sunlight to absorb the heat helps it grow healthy and expand yield. It will help if you keep your mint plant manageable with other plants. Planting your mint two or three feet away from other plants will give it space and aid it in growing horizontally or vertically. Mints with enough space will grow whole leaves. Mints planted in an overcrowded manner will require much water to survive as they will compete viciously with each other for survival.
Signs Of Overwatering
Mint plants need water to flourish. However, please do not soak the soil. Instead, make it moist. When your mint plant is overwatered, it begins with yellowish leaves, and weak and rotting stems appear droopy. It becomes vulnerable to diseases like leaf blight, rust, and white mold stem rot.
As much as mint is a water-loving plant, excess water can also cause damage to it, significantly if you are growing it indoors. That is why you should be careful while you water the plant. Check the topsoil to see if it is still moist or dry before launching the next watering attack.
Signs Of Underwatering and How to Fix it
Underwatering makes your mint plants look like they are dying, and it becomes brownish from the bottom to the top, which causes wilting leaves and stems. It makes the mint plants look like they are about to die. It is essential to provide the mint plant with enough water while also regulating it to maintain balance and help it grow. Planting your mint in good compost is one of the techniques to help your soil thrive. A rich compost contains porous particles to help drain excess water so it does not become soggy.
Practice mulching to aid the mint plants planted in the garden borders to retain nutrients from the soil. If you grow your mint in a container or pot like most people do, note that water dries off faster than water in the ground and needs much care. Its water retaining level is notorious as it causes waterlogging and destroys mint plants if it doesn’t receive extra consideration.
Make sure to create tiny holes at the bottom of the pot or container to help in proper drainage. Also, water it till the soil in the container becomes moist. Always check the water level to know the depth of the dryness or moisture before watering again. Doing this prevents overwatering. Wait to leave it till the soil dries off and gives a crack before watering it again to avoid underwatering. All these are excellent options to reduce soil evaporation and moisture and enrich the soil to suit the mint plant.