Your mint leaves are small because of its roots. Period.
Some people will say you need to use fertilizer, some will tell you that you need to give it more water and some will say its need more sun.
That’s simply not true.
Let’s talk about the roots of the mint. They are invasive, spreading all over with enough water before you even know it. I really don’t know any other plant that has so aggressive roots.
It’s even getting worse if you planted your mint with another herb in the same container. The mint’s roots will simply take over all the space and won’t let the other plant to grow.
Make Those Small Mint Leaves Grow Big
So how you can make those tasty leaves grow bigger?
If you are growing it in a container indoors, you have 2 option.
Tip – It’s much easier to take the mint out of the container if the soil is dry.
The best option is to transplant your mint into a larger container.
Here is how to do it
- Try to turn it upside down and loosen it with some light blows on the bottom of the container.
If it doesn’t work, you will need to start digging around the pot gently to make a space between the container and the soil. - Prepare the new container with some soil to fill the gap.
- Plant the mint in the center of the new container.
- Add more soil around the plant.
- Give it some water.
The second option is to trim some of the roots and re-plant it in the same container.
Here is how to do it
- Try to turn it upside down and loosen it with some light blows on the bottom of the container.
If it doesn’t work, you will need to start digging around the pot gently to make a space between the container and the soil. - Once you managed to take it out, take a pair of scissors and start cutting its roots. cut about 2/3 of the roots from the bottom.
- Add the missing 2/3 of soil with new soil mix.
- Plant the mint back in the container.
- Give it some water, not too much.
What should you do if your mint is already planted in a bed?
If you planted you mint in a bed, and you see other plants are not growing, and your mint leaves are small, you will need to dry the soil and take everything out. It’s because you don’t know how far the mint roots has grown.
To plant mint in a bed, alongside other plants, you will need to plant it in a bottomless container.
This will give your mint roots borders and won’t allow its roots to prevent your other plants to grow.
If you are planting your mint in pots, i would strongly recommend you to plant or transplant your mint to a clear or transparent pot.
This way you can be ahead of the game and see when its roots are starting to fill the soil and doesn’t leave the mint to grow.
This clear plastic pot is a great and inexpensive option, but if you want something more decorative you would recommend this pot. Make sure to take the large one.
