What mistakes kill potted mint plants?

Written by
Benjamin Miller
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.Potted mint mortality is generally due to avoidable practices. My first mint plant was planted in a pot for decoration that didn't have any holes in the bottom. That mint plant perished after its first few weeks with increasingly yellowing leaves due to root rot. I learned the hard way regarding pot selection. Let's cut to the chase. Let's dig into the top killers and science-based remedies.
Drainage Disasters
- No drainage holes - Roots suffocate in 7-10 days
- Fix: Drill 3+ 1/4" holes in pot base
- Emergency: Repot within 48 hours of soggy soil
Lighting Missteps
- Less than 4 hours light - Stems stretch weakly
- Fix: Use full-spectrum LED grow lights 12" above plants
- Monitor: Leaf spacing under 1" indicates adequate light
Root-bound plants console themselves in their death. When roots tangle so tightly, they can no longer effectively absorb nutrients. I revived a dying mint plant by cutting its root ball into quarters and repotting each quarter into its container. Nine days later, the original mint plant had new growth - which was no small feat.
Overwatered Plants
- Remove plant immediately
- Trim black/mushy roots
- Repot in 50% perlite mix
Light-Deprived Mint
- Prune leggy stems by 50%
- Install 6500K LED lighting
- Rotate pot 180° daily
The process of preventing winter kills begins when the thermometer drops below 50°F, so watering must be reduced. My mind that I keep in the kitchen window grows well all year with a weekly application of 1/4-strength fertilizer. If you have containers outside, they will need insulation in the pots to protect them from frost, similar to what I do in zone 6b using bubble wrap.
Read the full article: How to Grow Mint: Expert Tips for Thriving Plants