So you’ve bought a mint plant. Growing your own herbs can be a very rewarding hobby, rewarding you with as many herbs as you can use. Mint, with its fresh taste and use in many different dishes is a favorite herb for many people to grow in their homes.
But, you ask… How much sun does mint need? Well, Mint plants do best in full sun. Find a location with as much direct sunlight as possible. A spot that gets direct light in the morning and indirect light for the rest of the day is ideal.
Indoors or Outdoors
Whether planting your mint plant indoors or outdoors, the light requirements are pretty much the same. Mint grows in the wild around meadows and streams due to the moist soil and ample sunlight. Wherever you plant your mint, you must recreate these conditions.
Indoors
When deciding where to put your plant, look for a spot that has some direct sunlight in the morning as the sun rises. If after the morning, the sun is not visible from that spot, indirect light will still be very beneficial to the mint plant.
As well as needing ample sunlight, mint plants need good watering. By placing your mint plant on a windowsill you will both give it enough sunlight AND remind yourself to water it every time you look out the window, hopefully.
Outdoors
Naturally there is far more light outside rather than inside. Even in the shade there will be far more light particles for the mint plant’s leaves to absorb and turn into energy. Plant them in moist soil somewhere not extremely exposed, but not hidden away.
Mint plants are invasive, so planting them near other plants may cause some problems. Plant your mint into the soil in a container to separate the roots and to stop them from causing havoc with the plant’s neighbors.
Some Ideas of Where Is Best For Sunlight
Choosing where to plant your mint is tricky. Balancing the need for sunlight with aesthetics and practicality will always be difficult. But, here are some ideas that might just inspire you…
1. Herb garden
Many people nowadays keep their herbs growing in what is known as an herb garden. These devices are built specifically for growing small plants of herbs that can grow in an organized way, receiving sunlight and enough space.
Planting mint in a herb garden is a good way to start your herb collection. As well as looking pretty, many herb gardens are ‘stepped’ in order for all the different plants to receive sunlight. Like bleachers in a school sports hall, each plant is raised up to see the sun and receive its goodness.
2. On a Windowsill
Placing plants on a windowsill is a good habit to get into. Bringing plants into our homes only started in the 19th century. Believe it or not, plants are better suited to being outdoors rather than inside. Therefore, putting your plant on the windowsill, next to a window, will best recreate their habitat.
If you only have windows that receive indirect light, place your mint plant in a spot that you think receives the most light anyway. Bright indirect light will be a good alternative to direct light. If your mint plant isn’t getting on well in that position, try a different herb that needs less light.
3. Next to the Bathroom Window
I learnt this trick from my mother. Lucky for her, her bathroom window gets a good amount of sunlight. Placing the plants in the bathroom also allows them to receive a good amount of water from the air.
When taking a shower or a bath, steam in the air helps the soil stay moist. Just be sure to air the room out after it gets steamy. Many herbs can survive well in a bathroom, benefitting from the water in the air and the warm sunlight that comes in through the windows.
Conclusion
So, your mint plant needs as much sun as it can get. Place it somewhere where the sun hits its leaves and can be turned into energy. Your plant will reward you with lovely mint leaves that can be used in teas, desserts, and in many other foods and remedies.
So what are you waiting for? Find a spot with good sunlight, indoors or even outdoors, and plant some mint. There is no more rewarding way to enjoy growing plants than to eat them when they are done.