How to Germinate Mint

An invasive plant, mint can reach 3 feet tall and grows in many different varieties, including peppermint, spearmint or Corsican. So aggressive is mint that it can find its way under fences and other obstacles via its long, creeping stems that spread under the surface of the soil. Mint is a good herb to grow for use in teas, desserts or entrees. Instead of purchasing mint plants, germinate the seeds indoors at home to transplant them into a new growing pot in a garden.

6-inch growing pot
Fresh potting soil
Clear plastic bag
Slow-release fertilizer

Instructions

- 1
  Fill a 6-inch growing pots with fresh potting soil.
- 2
  Moisten the soil with water so that it remains damp and not saturated.
- 3
  Scatter mint seeds over the surface of the soil. The spacing does not matter because they will be thinned out later.
- 4
  Cover the growing pot with a clear plastic bag.
- 5
  Place the mint seeds in a location with full sunlight. Maintain a room temperature between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 6
  Remove the plastic bag to mist the soil with water. Keep the soil moist until the seedlings sprout. The mint seedlings will sprout within three weeks.
- 7
  Thin the seedlings by removing the weakest ones. Transplant the mint to a new growing container or transplant the seedlings outdoors in the spring. Space the mint plants at 12-inch intervals and 2 feet between rows. Plant the mint so that the roots rest just below the soil level.
- 8
  Give the mint plants 1 to 2 inches of water weekly.
- 9
  Apply a slow-release fertilizer, such as 16-16-16, in the spring. Follow the instructions on the fertilizer to apply it properly. Harvest the mint leaves when the plant flowers.

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