It is one of the most satisfying feelings to get up from your sleep, step onto your balcony, and pinch off a few fresh mint leaves and use them in your detox drinks.It’s one of the easiest herbs to grow and all it simply requires is a pot, some sunlight and a little water are usually enough.But then winter arrives, and the story changes. The days get shorter, the sunlight turns lighter, and the nights grow cold. Suddenly, the lush green pot slowly starts to look thin, droopy, and tired. Leaves turn dark, stems wilt, and some mornings you wonder if the plant has given up for good.But here are some ways you can care for your pudina plant during winter.
Move it indoors and give it the sunlight available
Potted mint is easy to carry inside before the first frost, and can keep growing even while kept indoors. Indirect sunlight also works well, but try to provide as much light as possible, so choose the brightest spot in your home.
Prune before you move it indoors
Give your mint a haircut before the move. Trim leggy stems and damaged leaves so the plant stays compact, then shake it gently to dislodge any hitchhiking pestsMint left outdoors naturally dies back in winter, and the old stems can be cut back any time from late autumn until spring. A hard cut looks bare at first, but it lets the roots rest and prepares fresh growth later.
Water less than you think
Cooler, darker days are all about slow growth, so mint needs far less water in the colder season. Overwatering while a plant is growing slowly leads to fungal problems and root damage. So it is advisable to cut back on water as growth slows and keep the mix just damp.
Check for pests before moving the pot indoors
Before you keep the pot inside, look under the leaves for aphids and spider mites. Rinse them off gently or use an organic spray. Heated rooms are dry, but dry winter air is more of a nuisance than a threat. Keep mint away from radiators and heaters, as Buyplants advises, and favour a cool, sunny sill.
Protect outdoor pots and plan for spring
Soil in a pot tends to freeze faster than ground soil, so outdoor containers need protection. Wrap the pot in burlap or bubble wrap, add two to three inches of mulch, or move it to a sheltered garage or covered patio. In spring, cut away old growth and move it back outside once the danger of hard frost has passed.
