1. Importance of Fertilizing Mint Plants
Mint fertilizer is essential to maintain healthy and productive mint plants. Without sufficient nutrients, mint plants grow slowly, produce fewer leaves and become susceptible to plant diseases.Research shows that fertilizing mint plants can increase leaf yield by 30% to 50% and essential oil content by 15% to 25%.
More comprehensive information and care guidelines can be read here.
2. Choosing the Right Mint Fertilizer
When fertilizing mint plants, it is important to choose a fertilizer that provides the right balance of nutrients to promote healthy growth. The key nutrients mint needs most are nitrogen and potassium, while phosphorus requirements are relatively low.
Nitrogen helps mint produce abundant foliage growth and essential oils. Choose a fertilizer with a first number (nitrogen content) between 8 to 12. Too much nitrogen can cause excess vegetative growth and reduce mint flavor and essential oil yield.
Potassium helps mint plants develop robust roots and increased drought tolerance. Aim for a second number (potassium content) between 6 to 10.
Phosphorus requirements for mint are comparatively lower. A middle number between 3 to 5 is usually sufficient.
Fertilizershigh in nitrogen and potassium for mint include:
- 10-10-5
- 8-8-4
- 12-6-6
| Fertilizer Type | Benefits for Mint |
|---|---|
| Organic (bone meal, fish emulsion, etc.) | Release nutrients slowly. Help build healthy soil. |
| Synthetic (15-15-15, 24-8-16, etc.) | Provide an immediate nutrient boost. |
You can use either organic or synthetic fertilizers for mint, but chose a formula that emphasizes nitrogen and potassium over phosphorus to best match mint’s nutritional needs. Apply fertilizer in early spring and again in mid to late summer to fuel maximum growth during the peak growing seasons.
3. Best Organic Fertilizers for Mint
Organic fertilizers are an excellent choice for mint plants. They breakdown slowly, feeding the soil microbiome and building healthy soil nutrition. Here are some of the best organic fertilizers for mint:
Bone meal is a great source of phosphorus and calcium – two nutrients mint doesn’t need in large quantities. But bone meal releases nutrients over a long period, supplying a steady trickle of available phosphorus. It’s ideal for permanent mint patches and gardens.
Fish emulsion and other liquid fish fertilizers are high in nitrogen – the number one nutrient mint requires. They also contain trace elements that promote all-around plant health. Fish emulsions are easy to apply and work well for container-grown mint.
Compost and manure provide a wide range of nutrients to nourish mint plants. Apply as a topdressing in early spring or sidedress around plants throughout the summer. Make sure manure is well composted and compost teas are mature to avoid burning mint’s shallow roots.
Coffee grounds act as a mild fertilizer for mint. The grounds release nutrients slowly and help add organic matter to improve soil conditions over time. Apply a 1/4-inch layer around plants and work into soil before new growth emerges in the spring.
When using organic fertilizers for mint, focus on those highest in nitrogen to maximize leaf growth and essential oil yield while avoiding excessive applications that could damage plants. Pair with compost and other soil amendments to build the microbial foundation for thriving mint.
4. Top Synthetic Fertilizers for a Thriving Mint Garden
Synthetic fertilizers offer a viable alternative to organic options for mint plants. They typically contain higher concentrations of nutrients that can give mint an immediate boost and ensure productive growth. Here are a few of the best synthetic fertilizers for mint:
15-15-15 provides a balanced mix of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium – the three primary macronutrients mint needs. The equal ratio makes 15-15-15 an excellent all-purpose fertilizer for mint. Apply in early spring and again in mid to late summer.
24-8-16 features higher nitrogen and potassium – making it ideal for promoting leaf growth and oil production in mint plants. The lower phosphorus contentmatches mint’s lesser requirements for this nutrient. Apply 24-8-16 fertilizer once in early spring and again 6 to 8 weeks later.
10-52-10 fertilizers offer a high ratio of potassium to support robust roots and drought tolerance. Mint plants love the extra potassium but do also need adequate nitrogen to balance growth. Supplement 10-52-10 applications with an additional low-nitrogen fertilizer or compost.
While synthetic fertilizers do not build the long-term soil health of organic options, they are convenient and help boost mint yields quickly. Follow these guidelines to safely use synthetic fertilizers for mint:
- Apply at 1⁄2 to full strength. Too much synthetic fertilizer can burn plants.
- Water in well after application. This helps redistribute fertilizer and avoids burning roots.
- Only fertilize when plants are actively growing. Early spring through midsummer for most mint varieties.
Synthetic fertilizers provide a targeted nutrient boost to fuel robust mint growth. Pairing with compost and IPM techniques helps mint plants thrive with balanced nutrition from the soil up.
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Frequently Asked Question
How do you store fresh mint?
To store fresh mint, place stems in water in a cup or jar. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Properly stored mint should keep for up to 1 week.
How much sun does mint need?
Mint thrives best in partial or filtered sunlight. Avoid planting mint in areas that get hot afternoon sun. Dappled sunlight is ideal for robust mint plants.
How much water does mint need?
Mint needs consistent moisture. Water mint regularly to keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Drought conditions cause mint to wilt, brown and lose flavor.
How do you harvest mint?
To harvest mint, snip sprigs off stems just above a leaf node. Try to harvest before flowers appear. Cut mint in the morning after dew has dried for best flavor.
