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The Best Way To Care For Your Mint Plants Throughout Winter
By KATE NICHOLSON
Mint is a hardy herbaceous perennial. Since it survives winters with temperatures as low as 5 degrees Fahrenheit by going dormant, it'll resprout in the spring if cared for.
Before the first frost, harvest the leaves, trim the plant's stems to the ground, and cover them with mulch, twigs, leaves, or a bedsheet. Wrap pots in garden fleece or bubble wrap.
Alternatively, move the planters to a sheltered, windless spot — beside walls, in a cold frame, or the doorway of your garden shed. In a frigid climate, bring your plant indoors.
Mint plants quickly get overcrowded with hefty roots called stolons. Pull up the excess, chop them into 1- to 2-inch pieces, and plant them in sprouting trays.
Give your mint plants a cup of water once a month during winter. If the soil feels soggy or grows mold or moss, place risers under the planters to prevent the roots from rotting.
Check your plants' roots for mint rust, which causes warped stems and orange, brown, or black spots on their leaves. Discard infected plants and the soil they're growing in.
As the weather warms, your mint plants will sprout again, and you'll have fresh mint in your spring garden to use in your kitchen.