Friday, November 13, 2009

Limp Spearmint plant?

I have a small spearmint plant inside on my desk--it's very limp and leaves are becoming brown and falling off at the bottom. What's wrong and how can I fix it?

Limp Spearmint plant?
Well there could be alot of things wrong. Assuming you are not over watering or under watering... Are the roots of the plant tangled in a big mass in side the pot. Mint is a plant that likes to spread rapidly, so its root system tends to grow quickly and use up soil quickly. If this is the case trim the roots and add more dirt or transplant to a larger pot with more dirt. If this is not the problem does it get enough sun? My mint (outside) enjoys a full day of scorching prairie sun, and is growing like mad. Also have you ever fertilized it?





Oh and mint does not like to have wet roots so let it dry out before watering again.
Reply:cut it down and it should sprout back out healthy...be sure to leave a set of leaves on the bottom and it will sprout out from that....also as someone else said you might be overwatering..you do not have to throw the cut off parts away..boil some water, put the cuttings in it,swish around and let sit for apx 5 min., take the mint out and sugar it..best tea ever! Our fam. goes through gallons of it..we do not even use the storebought tea anymore :)
Reply:I've not ever known mint to be grown inside, unless you have a very sunny window or in an atrium. Here in zone 8, it needs morning sun only and afternoon shade or it will fry, and when it gets hot, needs to stay evenly moist, but not necessarily soggy. If the leaves are brown starting at the tips, you may be letting it get too dry. If they are more blackened, and if there is any black on the stem, you may be drowning the plant by over-watering or keeping too wet too long. Plants need air to the roots, too.





However, being that it is inside, my first suggestion would be to get it outside, in the shade, and check the soil for moisture. Evenly moist, like a wrung out sponge, is the best for most plants actually. Maybe you can "root" some in a vase on your desk, but I don't think it will grow inside long term without proper light. Try something like "lucky bamboo" for your desk maybe. It will grow in very low light.


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