Plants need water to thrive, and your mint is no exception. But how much water does mint need? How to water this plant correctly?
You don’t need to do the task every day. Yet, to avoid underwatering and overwatering, bear in mind some rules, which we will discuss right now. Let’s follow our lead to discover!
How Much Water Does Mint Need?
To avoid drooping and root rot, mint plants need soil that is moist but not soaked. Give them a good soak if the topsoil seems dry.
Often, you need to water your mint plant twice a week. However, it may differ depending on how you grow your mint. This table will tell how much water the plant demands.
| Condition | Watering frequency |
| Indoor mints | Twice a week |
| Outdoor mints | Twice a week |
| Potted mints | 2 to 3 times a week |
| Mint seeds | Every day |
| Mint seedlings | Every two days |
Outdoor and indoor mints
The best watering tip is to give the soil a good soak. Then, wait until the soil is dry for the next watering.
Try to water your mint in the morning because it can charge the plant with water. It can thrive and enjoy the sunshine then.
Potted mints
Good watering techniques are not enough to keep your plant always hydrated and healthy. Make sure to give it the right pot, good compost or potting soil.
In direct sunlight, smaller pots tend to dry out a lot faster. Therefore, you need to water your plant as frequently as every day during the summertime.
Good compost or potting soil holds moisture while allowing extra water to drain efficiently. For mint plants grown in pots, it may assist in keeping the optimum moisture level.
In spring and summer, water your potted mint once every three days. If the top one inch of the planting soil dries out and your plant wilts, water more.
Mint seeds and seedlings
Water your mint seedlings every one or two days to keep the soil equally damp but not soggy. Ensure that the soil surface feels as if it’s slightly drying between the waterings.
In hot weather, newly blooming seedlings need daily watering, while more mature sprouts only need irrigation every two days.
Your mint seedlings cannot substantially grow their roots under too high temperature, excessive direct sunlight, or underwatering. As a result, water the young seedlings in extreme temperatures every day.
Water your plant in the morning. It provides the seedlings with water throughout the day and lets the soil gradually dry out by evening, lowering the risk of mildew and fungus.
Things To Consider When Watering Mints?
When choosing how often to water your mints, you should consider many things, such as the weather, sunlight, and spacing.
Weather
You might not need to irrigate your plant frequently in the spring because the weather is typically rainier. In a month with a lot of rain, avoid overwatering your plant.
In the summer, try to water the mint every day to keep it hydrated. But in the fall when the weather is cool, only do it once a week.
Sunlight exposure
Mints grown in full sun may quickly dry up, especially if they receive direct sunshine during the noon hours. They will be able to grow healthy new stems in the future if you give them plenty of water during these seasons.
Spacing
You will need to irrigate mint plants more frequently if you have planted them closely together since they will fight for the same water supply.
How To Water Mints?
The best watering method for mints is using a hose soaker accessory. If you water straight into the soil, there will be lower chances of rust and fungal forming on the leaves.
If you grow your plant indoors, a watering can will be a better solution. And again, try to water into the soil and avoid hitting your plant.
Overhead irrigation is the mint’s nightmare as it causes mint rust, a fungal infection that turns the leaves yellow and forms black spots.
Signs Of Underwatering And Overwatering Mints
All plants demand the right amount of water to thrive. Hence, both watering and overwatering are not ideal and should be avoided.
Below are some signs of underwatering and overwatering. Check if your plants have any of them and take immediate actions to heal.
Overwatering
Overwatered mint plants have wilting stems, yellow leaves, and droopy looks. Moreover, it will be more sensitive to diseases like stem rot, powdery mildew, mint rust, and leaf blight.
In this case, remove the affected areas first. If they still remain, other parts of your plant will get affected.
To avoid overwatering, always wait until the top soil dries out for the next irrigation. Also, reduce the water supply after you experience overwatering.
Underwatering
The signs of underwatering include yellowing, wilted, or shriveled leaves. If you don’t give your plant enough water, its leaves will be the first to suffer because it tends to retain some moisture for the roots.
The mint roots will poke through the soil surface to seek water. Hence, you should water your plant thoroughly and bury the exposed roots with soil. The leaves can receive more water then.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do you know if mint needs water?
Checking the top half inch of soil for the moisture is the best approach to determine how much water your plant needs. If it’s dry, give your plant water.
2. Does mint like wet or dry soil?
Mint thrives in soil that is just slightly damp but not saturated. Water it if the soil seems dry about an inch down. When the leaves of your mint start to wilt, it means that the plant wants more moisture.
3. How often should I water mint indoors?
It’s necessary to water your mint plant indoors moderately one to two times per week in a well-draining growth medium.
Conclusion
Luckily, mint plants don’t require a lot of water. However, since there are risks of overwatering and underwatering, try to establish a proper watering plan for your plants.
Hopefully, you will find this article helpful. Please let us know if you have any problems when taking care of your mint plants. We will get you covered.
Thank you for stopping by!
