Mentha or also commonly known as mint is a genus of plants from the family of Lamiaceae. While people don’t exactly know how many species the herb has, there are still about 13 to 24 species that are known to exist. In some cases, two different species can overlap with each other which allows the herb to create a new hybrid species. These can have new characteristics as well as features shared with the parent herbs. Some of the features that these plants are known for include using them for therapy or treatments of disorders like flatulence, indigestion, nausea, anorexia, and even vomiting.
There are tons of other uses for the herb but there are also some questions that people ask. Recently users have been asking “Does mint grow back every year?”. Considering this, we will be using this article to provide you with all the information required regarding this query. Going through it carefully should also help you in understanding how the herbs can be kept healthy.
Does Mint Grow Back Every Year?
Depending on how you plant your mints and how it is kept maintained, the herb might or might not grow back. In most cases, if you keep the plant under optimal conditions then it can easily grow back every year. The mints will stay blossoming the entire bloom period and then their leaves should start to fall once the weather changes. Though your plant will still stay alive and new mint should grow back next year.
When it comes to how long the plant can survive, the period usually depends on its condition and location of it. Mints that have been planted in the ground are the strongest as these can spread their roots deep inside the soil. This allows the herb to spread all around the spot and be durable enough to last you up to 10 years. If you keep a check over the plant at all times, then it might be able to last you an even longer time. Moving on, mints that have been planted in pots have a slightly lower life expectancy.
This is because these have a smaller area to spread their roots in. Although, the condition of the soil also plays a huge role in how healthy the plant can stay. If you don’t keep the soil in check then your mints can start dying within months. On the other hand, if you keep the soil healthy by adding fertilizers and keeping it moist then your plant can stay alive for up to 5 years. Most people recommend that you completely change the soil after 2 to 3 years as it helps in further improving the lifespan of your plant.
However, the process has to be done carefully as there are tons of problems that you can run into during it. Moreover, if you feel like your plant’s growth is getting stopped then changing your mints into a larger pot can be better. This should allow the herb to further spread its roots and then grow without any more problems. The third location where mints can be planted is underwater.
Most people might think that this is not possible, but you should note that some species of mint can easily survive it. Though, you have to change the water every 2 to 3 days to keep your plant healthy. Furthermore, even if you keep the plant in optimal conditions then it can still die after a few months.
Ideal Conditions For Mint
Now that you understand that mint plants can grow back if kept under ideal conditions. Some people might wonder how they can keep their herbs healthy. Answering this, the soil that you keep your plant in should be kept rich in minerals using fertilizers. Other than this, sunlight plays a huge role in how well the plant grows.
This is why it is recommended that you place your mint under direct sunlight for 6 to 8 hours every day. The process helps your mint in growing new leaves that can be harvested during its season. Additionally, this ensures that the plant remains healthy even while it is out of season. Finally, you can also keep the soil around your mint moist as it helps the plant in consuming nutrients from the soil.