How to Propagate Mint

Mentha spp.

Mint is famously hard to stop from spreading, and that same aggressive growth habit makes it one of the easiest plants to propagate. A cutting in water roots almost automatically — the only real decision is whether to grow it in a contained pot afterward, since mint planted directly in garden soil will spread well beyond where you want it.

Water propagation

1. Cut a 4–6 inch stem below a node, from a non-flowering tip.
2. Strip the lower leaves.
3. Place in a glass of water on a bright windowsill.
4. Change the water every few days.

Roots appear within 1–2 weeks. Pot into soil once roots are an inch or more, or leave it growing in water long-term.

Division

1. Dig up an established clump.
2. Pull or cut it into sections, each with roots and stems attached.
3. Replant sections in a contained pot rather than open garden soil, unless you want it to spread.

When to propagate

Spring through summer, though indoor water cuttings root reliably almost year-round.

Common problems

The cutting rotted in water. Leaves left submerged. Strip anything below the waterline and change water regularly.

Mint has taken over the garden bed. Not a propagation failure — this is mint’s normal behavior via underground runners. Grow it in a pot, even if that pot is sunk into the ground, to contain the roots.

Questions people ask

Can I grow mint entirely in water? Yes, indefinitely, with occasional light feeding.

Do different mint varieties (peppermint, spearmint) propagate the same way? Yes, the method is identical across mint species.

Related

Water propagation hub · Similar plants: Basil, Oregano, Lemongrass