Mint is an aromatic, perennial herb. Most species grow best in wet, moist environments. Mint belongs to the Lamiaceae family. Mint is an easy-to-grow, hardy, perennial herb plant grown for its leaves. It is one of the most profitable herb plants to grow. Depending on the land availability, you can cultivate Mint on both a small and large scale. The high-yielding variety gives more profit in Mint cultivation. The most significant potential is its fragrance and culinary use. Let’s check out the top 19 steps/ways/methods to boost Mint yield below.

Top 19 steps/ways/methods to boost Mint Yield

Step 1: Select the best Mint variety for more production

Japanese Mint/Menthol Mint – Japanese Mint is the primary source of menthol. Fresh leaves contain 4-6% oil. Japanese Mint grows in full sun to partial shade, preferring moist soil. All soil types are acceptable, including heavy clay soils. This Mint can take slightly drier soil than others, although it prefers moist conditions. 

Peppermint – The most common type of Mint is peppermint. Peppermint has a cool, strong flavor, which is why it is used in candies, desserts, and teas. Peppermint spreads prolifically in garden beds, spreading by runners in all directions rather than by seed. Peppermint has pink flowers and rounded (sometimes more lance-shaped) leaves.

The leaves are toothed along the margins and dark green. The most common use of this herb is to flavor tea, but, like most Mint varieties, it is also effective in Mints. The aroma of Mint is stimulating and can also reduce stomach upset when consumed. 

Spearmint – Spearmint plants have long, narrow leaves on thin stems and pink or white flowers. The name “Spearmint” comes from the spear-like leaves. Like other species, Spearmint spreads in all directions by invasive runners, so containers are perfect. This Mint is also called lamb Mint because it is used in lamb and potato dishes. Flowers are pink to pale violet color.

Bergamot Mint – It has fragrant, lemon-flavored leaves ovated on elegant burgundy stems. Bergamot Mint is known for its aromatic properties and is used as an ingredient in the preparation of jellies, salads, and chutneys. Its essential oil is used in the perfume industry. 

Some other varieties are Apple Mint, Pennyroyal, Banana Mint, Chocolate Mint, Lavender Mint, Water Mint, Corsican Mint, American Wild Mint, Cuban Mint, Orange Mint, Grapefruit Mint, etc.

Step 2: Suitable soil for Mint plant growth 

Mint grows well in most soil types. It includes heavy and moist soil if drainage is adequate. It will not perform well on waterlogged soils in winter, and the plants may die. It can adapt to most soil types but prefers rich soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Good soil drainage is also important.

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Mint plants love water, but waterlogged soil can cause their roots to rot. Finally, the best soil is deep, well-drained, and humus-rich, with good moisture retention. Finally, it would help if you collected soil samples for analysis to determine the soil’s fertility level before planting Mint. 

Step 3: Seed rate and seed treatment for more production

Stolons or branches do propagation. Apply stolon at 160 kg per acre of land for good growth. Stolons are obtained from previous plantings and are harvested in December and January. To protect the crop from stolon root, do stolon treatment with Captan @0.25% or Agallol solution @0.3% or Benlate @0.1% for 2-3 minutes before sowing. 

Step 4: Mint planting time for best growth 

The best time to grow Mint mainly depends on where you live. Suppose you live in a cold area and plant in the spring. The fall season is ideal if you live in a warm area. So, choose accordingly, but be sure to give your plants afternoon shade if you live in a hot area. During light frosts, new plants need protection, but established plants can withstand a full frost. 

Step 5: Mint propagation method for getting more yield

Mint is easily propagated by seeds, cuttings, or dividing an established plant. Seeds should be sown in spring or fall in frost-free areas. Mint seeds must be sown to a depth of about 6 mm (0.25 inches). After seeding and thinning, the plants are 46 to 61 cm (18 to 24 inches) apart. Established Mint can be easily divided for grafting by taking a few branches and a portion of the root. Many people select to keep Mint in containers in the ground when planting to prevent the Mint from spreading uncontrollably.

Step 6: Planting method for healthy plants

Mint can be propagated either vegetative or by seed. Vegetative propagation in Mint is achieved by digging up plants in late winter – early spring and dividing them into runners along the roots, then replanting. It will prevent plants from becoming root bound and susceptible to disease, ensuring strong and healthy plants for the new season. 

Planting distance will change with the mechanical equipment used to cultivate and manage the crop. A suitable row spacing is about 50 cm, with runners spaced 10 cm apart in rows. As the plants grow, the rows will become one continuous mass of Mint. 

Step 7: Nutrition management for plant development

Mints require a balanced nutrition program. An annual dressing of animal manure will provide a good balance of major and minor elements. About 10 tonnes per hectare of good quality fowl manure applied mid-winter will provide a good nutrition program. 

Step 8: Tips for growing Mint in a pot

Because it spreads through underground runners, Mint can quickly start to invade areas where you don’t want it. This herb grows well in containers, so you can prevent it from wandering into your landscape by potting it in a pot at least 12 to 16 inches wide. If you still want to add the plant to the garden bed, first sink a plain, lightweight plastic pot into the soil so that the rim is just above ground level. This way, the pot won’t show, but it will still keep the weed in it under control. 

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You can also plant Mint in a large half-barrel or other large container and leave it outside year-round. However, do not keep ceramic pots outside during winter. They often break during freeze-thaw cycles as temperatures fluctuate during the colder months. Mint can also be grown indoors in pots. Place the herb in a container with drainage holes and place it where it can get plenty of light from natural or grow light. 

Step 9: Tricks and conditions for growing Mint

Grow Mint well in full or partial sun (shade is best for warmer areas). Prevent Mint from taking over your garden bed by planting it in a container and then planting the container in the ground or a larger container with other plants. Water the plant deeply whenever the top inch of soil is dry. Mint plants with yellow leaves and drooping appearance die from root rot from overwatering and pots without good drainage. 

Mint that is drooping is usually because the Mint is not getting enough light or from over-fertilizing with too much nitrogen. Plant Mint in a well-draining compost and keep the soil consistently moist without saturating it. Ensure the Mint has drainage in the base of the pot or container. Mint prefers full sun or partial shade. Keep Mint under these conditions, and your Mint has the best chance of recovery. 

Step 10: Tips to revive dying Mint in a pot 

Overwatering is the most common cause of Mint dying, creating the perfect conditions for root rot and disease. Lack of sun or poor soil conditions are also possible causes. A pest infestation, incorrect soil pH, and light conditions can cause various problems for Mint that can eventually be fatal. Plant or transplant the Mint into a pot at least 12 inches large to prevent the soil from drying out too quickly and prevent the Mint from wilting. 

Make sure the base of your pot has drainage holes, so the soil doesn’t become soggy. A larger pot or container holds more soil and therefore holds more moisture. A larger pot doesn’t dry out as quickly as smaller pots, which prevents the Mint from wilting, as does a more frequent watering schedule. 

With more soil, your Mint plant’s roots have more room to establish and access the nutrients they need, so the Mint produces more plants and is less prone to disease. Water the Mint as often as necessary to keep the soil moist, and the Mint will recover from its wilted appearance in a few days. Also, it is important to plant Mint in pots with drainage holes in the base to allow excess water to drain and prevent root rot. Avoid trays, saucers, or anything else under the pot that can catch water and muddy the soil. 

The most common causes of Mint dying are: 

• Under watering (Mint needs consistently moist soil). 
• Root rot (soggy soil or poorly drained pots can cause Mint to yellow and drop). 
• Mint dies in pots or pots that are too small or in a pot that lacks a drainage hole in the base so that not too much water can drain out. 
• Leggy grows with few leaves due to too much fertilizer or lack of sun.

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Step 11: Tips for growing Mint from cuttings 

Yes, Mint can be grown from cuttings, also known as propagating Mint. Propagation means producing a plant that is identical (genetically) to its parent through division, cuttings, etc. To grow Mint from cuttings, you will need: 

• A small pot (make sure it is at least 3″ in diameter, with good drainage) or a growing area with some potting soil 
• Water 
• Rooting hormone 

Before getting into the specific steps, it should be noted that growing Mint from cuttings can be lengthy depending on the method used. If you use growth hormone, it can take up to a year until you can harvest and eat your new Mint plant. To propagate, take a long cutting from a healthy, vibrant Mint plant (think five inches, lower leaves removed, and trimmed just below the newest leaf nodes) directly into the soil, or put the cuttings into a glass. Add water until roots form and transfer to the soil in a well-draining pot or garden bed. 

Step 12: Tips for maximizing the growth of your indoor Mint plant 

Sunlight: Mint needs a very bright indoor location. Outdoors, Mint can tolerate a little shade. But inside, the more light, the better. Otherwise, the plant will stretch for light and become leggy and yellow. If you don’t have a sunny, north-facing window that gets sun for the better part of the day, consider buying a small grow light to put on your Mint plant. 

Water: One of the easiest factors to consider when learning how to grow Mint indoors is watering. 

Fertilizing Indoor Mint – This is another task for growing Mint indoors. From mid-spring to late summer, fertilize your Mint plant every three weeks with a liquid organic fertilizer. Mix it according to the label directions. If you plan to harvest from the plant all winter, fertilize once every six weeks from fall through early spring. Indoor Mint will still be actively growing during winter, so feeding it is a good idea. Just don’t overdo it. 

Step 13: Fertilization and manuring for improving flavor and quality

You should add proper fertilizer to Mint cultivation to get a good crop. Therefore, nitrogen fertilization is essential to encourage plant growth and improve flavor and quality. Fertilizer rates are usually high for good vegetable growth and a maximum number of leaves. Finally, maintaining soil fertility requires frequent nitrogen applications throughout the growing season. 

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A Mint plant planted in moist organic soil does not need a lot of fertilizer. Too much fertilizer can damage Mint plants and reduce the production of the flavorful Mint oil in the leaves. It is very important to preserve the flavorful oil in the Mint. Mint plants require very little fertilization; this is one of the best fertilizers for Mint plants. Before planting Mint plants, compost or manure is added to the soil.

Manure adds important nutrients to the soil and improves the soil’s water-holding capacity. In addition, compost has a relatively low concentration of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium compared to commercial fertilizers, which is ideal for vigorous growing plants such as Mint. The best compost method is adding a 3-inch layer on top of the soil before painting new pants. For growing Mint in a pot or container, a 2-inch layer is sufficient. 

NPK 16-16-16 is the best commercial fertilizer you can use to fertilize Mint. This ratio formula is found to be effective in Mint plant growth. This fertilizer is good for all types of Mint and does not reduce Mint oil production. Excessive fertilizer application will result in aggressive growth and loss of flavor. With this slow-release mix, wait for the frost to pass and fertilize Mint plants in spring. 

Step 14: Irrigation management to maximize plant growth

Mint needs frequent and adequate irrigation. It is used to supplement rainfall. When the Mint plants are fully developed, they are watered at least three times a week. The crop needs more water in summer. Mint requires a large amount of water compared to other crops for maximum production. Plants should be watered at least twice a week to keep the soil moist during periods of high evaporation. During the summer growth period, plants may require up to 1500 mm of water.

Step 15: Pest and diseases control for more plant growth

Most pests are troublesome in older Mint fields, especially nematodes. Never use weeds from old lands to plant new lands. It can introduce pest problems to new lands. It would help if you adopted natural pest control measures as the first choice. Follow a pest management program. Additionally, early detection and management of pest problems can prevent major problems. Accurate identification of pests and beneficial natural predators is essential.

Finally, use controls that target specific taxonomic groups, food habits, or life stages. Mint rust disease is a serious disease that attacks common Mint species. Disease-free planting material and proper rotation with other crops will help control it. Rust affects the leaves and shoots and will quickly kill the plant if not controlled. Plants can be ignited with a propane gas burner in the spring to destroy diseased material before new shoots appear. 

A wide range of pests can attack it. Important pests in the Mint crop are loopers, leafrollers, slugs, snails, and aphids. Although growing Mint usually presents few problems other than aggressive infestations on the plant, pests can occasionally infect Mint plants. Mint’s most common problems include cutworms, aphids, spider mites, and Mint root borers. Mint can be susceptible to diseases like rust, verticillium wilt, and anthracnose. 

Step 16: Solutions to Mint wilting 

Mint wilting solution is easy to apply. Water the Mint plant frequently to keep the soil moist. Water is needed once every three days in hot climates, while in temperate climates, water may be needed only once a week. Compost is excellent at retaining moisture but has a porous structure that allows excess water to drain away so it doesn’t become soggy.

Careful monitoring of soil moisture by checking the depth of a finger, and adjusting watering frequency accordingly, ensure that the soil does not dry out and your Mint plant does not become dehydrated. Always soak Mint in water to encourage the plant roots to establish themselves properly. 

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Frequent light watering encourages shallow root growth, making Mint plants more susceptible to drought. It’s important to recognize that pots and containers dry out quickly after soil in the garden, especially if the pot is in full sun (Mint can grow in full sun or partial shade). 

Step 17: Pruning for increasing crop growth

Remove the flower stalks if they are visible, as they will degrade the flavor of the Mint. Pinch back the stems regularly to encourage bushier growth. If the plant becomes too leggy or stunted, it can be cut back to an inch above the soil line to regrow with full growth. Pinch the stem tips back as they grow back. Watch out for the plant spreading over the edge of its pot, as it is possible for Mint stems from taking root and spread if they come into contact with your lawn or garden soil. Cut them back to prevent unwanted spreading. 

Step 18: Harvesting Mint for more yield

Mint plants do best when pruned frequently. Pick individual leaves or twigs at any time during the growing season. The best flavor is before flowering. If you have to harvest a large amount of Mint, cut the plants almost to the ground, leaving a few pairs of leaves. The plant will grow again. 

Harvesting Mint is key to the plant’s health and is easy to do. Pick leaves as needed, or use pruning shears or pruning shears to cut off large shoots to within an inch of the ground. Pinch off flowers as they appear to extend the harvest cycle. Allowing the plant to grow longer than this point will cause the stems and leaves to become woody and brittle. 

Step 19: Mint yield per acre

The crop yield is about 100-125 quintals per acre of fresh herbs containing 0.5 to 0.75% oil.

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