How To Plant Mint At Home: Easy Guide With Health Benefits

"I think I've killed this mint plant," I texted my mom, attaching a sad photo of my wilted pudina. Her reply came seconds later: "Beta, it's mint. You can't kill it. Just water it and wait." She was right. Three days later, that same plant was sprouting new leaves like nothing had happened. That's when I realised that growing mint might be the perfect confidence booster for garden beginners like me. Pudina has been a constant in Indian kitchens for generations, and for good reason. It's resilient, versatile, useful and it smells amazing.

Benefits of Mint

Before we read about how to grow mint, let's talk about why mint deserves a spot in your garden:

Helps with digestion: Mint has been our go-to home remedy for stomach aches or any other digestive issues.

Breath Freshener: Bad breath after that garlicky dinner? Chew on mint leaves. Works better than many expensive mouthwashes.

Cooling Effect: During those killer summer months, mint-infused water is literally a lifesaver. Nothing beats the heat like mint coolers when it feels like you're living inside an oven.

Helps with congestion: Got a stuffy nose? Mint tea or steam inhalation with mint leaves or mint tea can help clear those airways.

Headache Relief: A paste of mint leaves applied to your forehead can ease tension headaches.

Stress Buster: The scent of mint is known to reduce stress and anxiety. Sometimes I just crush a leaf and take a deep breath when work gets overwhelming.

Insect Repellent: Ants, mosquitoes, and flies hate mint. Growing it near windows or doorways keeps those irritating insects away.

Memory Booster: Studies suggest that mint can improve alertness and memory.

Anti-Nausea Relief: Feeling queasy after eating too much? Mint can help settle your stomach. Works well for motion sickness too!

The Simple Starter Pack of Growing Mint at Home

Now that you’re convinced about growing mint, here's what you'll need, and I promise it's not one of those Instagram gardening lists that secretly require you to spend half your salary at the nursery:

• Mint cuttings (Use the one that’s available in your kitchen or simply buy a plant from Urvann).
• A pot with holes (an old mug works too if you're feeling creative and drill some drainage holes)
• Soil (regular old garden dirt mixed with kitchen compost will do just fine)
• Water (the same stuff you drink, nothing fancy)
• A spot that gets some sun but won't fry your plant

A Beginner’s guide to caring for your mint plant

Planting
Next time you buy mint from your local sabzi wala, don’t throw away the stems. Stick them in soil, keep moist and watch them rise like they have been waiting for this moment. Or if you want to make life easier, just buy a mint plant from Urvann and use the stems. 

Watering
During scorching summers, your mint will drink up water extremely fast. But in the monsoons, too much water can drown it. The trick? Check the soil with your finger—if it feels damp like a squeezed-out towel, it's just right. If it’s too soggy, hold off on watering.

Water your mint early in the day, especially during the summer. This gives the plant time to absorb moisture before the heat intensifies.

Sunlight

Leaving mint in the full afternoon sun is like stepping outside barefoot on a hot summer day—not a good idea. Morning sunlight? Great. Evening rays? Lovely. But that harsh 2-5 PM heat? Give it some shade, or it’ll end up dry and wilted.

During dry winter months or in air-conditioned rooms, mist the leaves occasionally to maintain humidity.

Fertilisers
Used tea leaves and tea water make excellent fertilizer for mint - the mild acidity and nutrients are perfect. Eggshells, coffee grounds, and vegetable peels make excellent additions to mint soil.

Bonus Tips
Those fancy plastic pots at the garden store? Skip them. In our humidity and heat, traditional clay pots or ceramics are your best bet. They keep roots cool and let excess water evaporate.

ALWAYS grow in containers unless you want your entire garden to become mint territory. It’s a really fast-growing plant.

Occasionally, place your pot in a tray of water for 30 minutes to encourage deeper root growth. This works especially well during extreme heat. This process is called butt-chugging.

How to Harvest

When it comes to harvesting, never take more than one-third of the plant at once. Harvest in the morning before the sun bullies the essential oils out of the leaves and use scissors for clean cuts that don't shock the plant. 

Conclusion

Growing mint at home connects you to something special—the tradition of having healing plants right outside your door. In a world where we order everything online and sanitise everything in sight, there's something wonderfully rebellious about walking outside, plucking leaves from your own plant, and adding them straight to your cooking.

Plus, when the inevitable mint jungle takes over your garden, you can always blame it on me—a stranger on the internet who assured you that growing mint was a good idea. (It is, I promise, just maybe start with a smaller pot than you think you need!)

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is mint pudina?

Yes, mint and pudina are the same thing! "Pudina" is simply the Hindi word for mint. When your grandmother asks you to pluck some pudina from the garden for chutney, she's talking about the same aromatic herb that's called mint in English. In Indian households, we almost always use the term pudina rather than mint, especially when speaking in Hindi or other regional languages.

1. What is a mint leaf?

The mint leaf is the aromatic leaf of the mint plant (botanical name Mentha). It's that refreshing, bright green leaf with slightly jagged edges that smells incredible when you crush it between your fingers. The leaves contain essential oils (primarily menthol) that give mint its characteristic cooling sensation and distinctive fragrance. In Indian cooking, we use mint leaves fresh in chutneys, raitas, and as garnish, or dried in some masala blends. The leaves are also used in traditional medicine and to make refreshing summer drinks.

1. What are some benefits of mint?

Chewing mint after a heavy meal would do wonders for your digestion. The menthol in mint relaxes stomach muscles and helps with digestion. Nothing beats the heat like pudina sharbat when it feels like you're living inside a tandoor. A paste of mint leaves applied to your forehead can ease tension headaches - my grandmother uses this trick whenever she gets migraines. Mint also has antimicrobial properties that help with acne and skin irritation. Mix it with honey for a face mask that leaves your skin feeling tingly and fresh.

1. Does mint like full sun or shade?

Mint has serious commitment issues when it comes to sun exposure! It's that fussy friend who's always complaining "it's too hot" or "it's too cold." In most of India, mint grows well in partial shade—especially during our merciless summers. Full morning sun (till about 11 AM) followed by afternoon shade is pretty much mint's dream location.

1. Why does mint spread aggressively?

Mint spreads through underground runners called stolons. This growth strategy helped mint survive in the wild, but makes it a bit of a garden bully.

1. Can mint survive in cold weather?

Yes! Mint is surprisingly cold-hardy. In mild winter areas, it may stay green year-round. In colder regions, the top growth dies back but the roots usually survive to regrow in spring. 

1. How can you preserve mint?

You can dry mint leaves by hanging bundles upside down in a well-ventilated area. Alternatively, freeze whole or chopped leaves in ice cube trays with water or oil, perfect for adding to drinks or cooking later. For a concentrated option, make mint syrup or mint extract.

1. Can mint grow indoors?

Absolutely! Mint does well in pots on a sunny windowsill. It won't grow as vigorously as outdoor mint, but will provide fresh leaves year-round. Just make sure it gets enough light and doesn't dry out completely.