Mint is one of those plants I always recommend to new gardeners.
It is hardy and easy to care for, thus making for an excellent beginner plant for those starting a garden. However, even though it is resistant to most environments and pretty low maintenance, you may come across some issues with mint plants.
So, today, I've clarified how to bring a mint plant back to life if such a situation should ever occur.
How To Bring A Mint Plant Back To Life?
Actually, there is no one reason for mint plants to wither. It could be one factor or a combination of many; thus, your plan of action will be unique to your situation. Here are some steps you can take to help mint plants grow from a vulnerable state.
1. Infestation
If your mint plant is withering away due to plant diseases, you can begin by cutting the infected parts. Also, you can add liquid sulfur into your soil and mix it for fighting against infections. Alternatively, you could wash the leaves, branches, and other areas of the plant with a dishwashing solution with a few drops of bleach.
After this method, you will need to repot the mint plant with fresh soil.
Note that bugs and pests can be shooed away manually, but smaller pests may not be visible. To take care of this issue, I like to spray neem oil on the leaves every week or so.
2. Underwatering And Overwatering
If the soil is dry often, it's possible that it isn't receiving enough moisture. Hotter seasons and areas may require watering in three days, while colder areas can do with weekly watering. When in doubt, check the soil for moisture. This way, you will not overwater the mint, which also ruins its growth.
If overwatering is a recurring issue, place a paper towel between your mint pot and drainage pipe to remove the extra water. Remove the paper when it is soaked up and ensure the plant gets plenty of air and sunlight.
If the soil still appears moist after three days of watering, check the roots for rot. If the roots are fine, you can adjust the watering routine; otherwise, clip off the damaged parts and repot the mint plant.
3. Pruning And Cutting
Taking out the dead parts of the plant might just salvage the rest of the mint plant. This is why I search for the worn-out leaves and stems and cut the parts close to the soil. However, it is important to cut at the place the stem branches out instead of the thick branch. If you over prune, the stem may not get enough sunlight, and the entire plant may wither away.
Final Words
Apart from the tips mentioned above, keep a close watch on the plants as the season changes.
More often than not, mint plants can become dormant during the winter, so don't cut them off, assuming they are dead. Also, remember that during the summer or spring, you'll need to change the watering frequency considering the heat and humidity.
That said, I hope my advice will help revitalize your mint plant!