Mints are very easy to grow because they thrive in almost any condition. It’s nice to have a mint plant around the corner to enjoy it every now and then. Whether it’s tea or salad or any other dish, mints elevate their flavors amazingly.
But these leafy herbs can suddenly start dying. And this is the time for you to jump right in to save the plant otherwise it will be too late.
Nevertheless, If you don’t know the right reason, the treatments won’t be effective. Moreover, the wrong kind of treatment will harm your mints.
So, why is the mint plant dying?
Well, from my research and experience I have enlisted 7 major reasons including – Wrong Watering, Soil Problem, Transplant Shock, Improper Fertilization, Environmental Stress, Pest Attacks, and Diseases that are the reasons why your mint plants are dying.
In this article, I am going to discuss all the 7 reasons and their specific treatments.
So let’s get deep into the business-
7 Reasons For Mint Plant Dying with Solutions
1.Wrong Watering of Mints
The most common cause for the mint leaves dying is wrong watering. Mints are a very delicate plant with spreading roots. They need enough moisture for their healthy growth. Without sufficient water, mints get wilted. And when this underwater situation prolongs the mints can eventually die.
On the other hand, overwatering the soil can also kill your mint plants. When you overwater a plant the roots feel suffocated. As a result the plant wilts.
Control Measure
Keeping the soil moist is one of the best ways you can revive your dying mints. The soil conditions can be different depending on various locations. So just to be sure it is best to check the moisture level with a moisture meter(Our pick: Atree Soil Soil Tester Kits with Moisture, Light, and PH Test for Garden)
When the mints are dying and you see the soil is very dry then water generously. If you live in tropical conditions, water every other day. And if you live in temperate region water at 3 or 4 days interval.
Frequently water your sweet potted mints by checking the soil. Because soils in potted plants dry out quicker. Be sure to keep enough drainage holes. Don’t let the pots stay waterlogged. This can encourage fungal diseases.
To save the mint leaves from wilting, re-pot them in a larger clay or ceramic pot. This will help keep the moisture better. Add a layer of organic compost to keep the soil moist.
2. Soil Problem of Mint
Mints can sometimes be tricky to grow. Soil is a big factor in that. Mints get dehydrated very quickly in sandy soil. So sandy soil is not good for mint.
On the other hand, too compacted soil also suffocates the root and creates a waterlogged condition. So avoid heavy clay soils. Both cases hamper the mint growth and the plant keeps wilting.
Control Measure
Mints prefer loamy soil with a moderate amount of nutrients and a pH level slightly acidic, around 6.5. If your mints are dying check out the soil acidity with a pH meter.
You might need to change the potting soil if the mints continue to wilt. Use vermiculite or perlite for better soil drainage(our pick: Miracle-Gro Perlite)
3. Transplant Shock
When potted mints are planted in the garden soil or indoor mint plants are planted outside they go through transplant shock. As a result of transplant shock, the leaves start to wilt.
It is usually a temporary thing. But if you don’t take care of them immediately the stress condition can soon make your precious mint plant die.
Control Measure
Transplant shock is very common in mints because the mint leaves are very delicate. When introducing indoor mints to the outdoors, be patient. Move them to partial shade first. Gradually expose them to full sun. Make sure the soil is rich in compost and other organic material.
When you plant the mints in a new place make sure you provide a good growing condition with enough water and nutrients. The most important way to save the dying mint is to water it immediately after planting. It should revive itself within one or two weeks.
4. Improper Fertilization
Mints don’t need too much fertilizer. Overfertilization causes the mint plants to die. Excessive amounts of nutrients injure the roots. As a result, the roots cannot absorb enough moisture and nutrients. And the mints start to get wilted and eventually they die.
But this doesn’t mean they don’t need additional nutrients. If the soil lacks nutrients many deficiency symptoms can occur. And result in yellowing and browning of leaves.
Control Measure
Too much nitrogen makes the leaves leggy. So make sure you use a well-balanced fertilizer. Treat your tender mints with the best and non-toxic mint fertilizer (our pick: Jobe’s Organics Herb Plant Food).
Apply fertilizers in moderate amounts every 2-3 months in the summer and spring. Make sure you follow the dosage guide written on the label directions. Do not fertilize too frequently.
5. Environmental Stress
A few reasons like heat, cold, and humidity can wilt the mint plants. Mints are easily affected by weather conditions. Cold damage is a reason for mint plants dying. Mints cannot withstand much cold and frost.
Mints are tropical plants so they require 5-6 hours of sunlight every day. They tend to wilt and die when they don’t get enough sunlight. But again when the temperature goes above 85°F the mints feel stressed. They get sunburnt and start drooping.
When indoor mints are placed by an air conditioner, it causes shock to the plant. Because air conditioners tend to reduce the humidity. This shock will not only droop the leaves but also can kill the plant. To avoid this problem you can also get a humidifier.
Control Measure
It is best to plant mints during the spring so they can get adequate sunlight throughout the growing period. Give partial shade in high temperatures.
For indoor mints, maintain the room temperature between 60-80°F or 15-30 °C. Move your indoor mints outdoors gradually to soak in the sun. During the winter bring them indoors to save from frost.
When the plants become too bushy, prune back some of the older leaves. This will allow the plant to get more sunlight. If you have already planted mints in a damp location, replant them in a sunny place.
6. Pests of Mint
Spider mites, Flea beetles, and loopers feed on the leaves and suck up the nutrients. As a result, the plant becomes very weak. When these insects attack at large the tender mint leaves start to wilt and die.
Loopers and beetles are easier to detect but spider mites are not. They are very small. The leaves become discolored by their feeding. You can detect them by the small webs they make on the leaves.
Control Measure
You can handpick the loopers and beetles in case of a smaller infestation. But when the infestation is large you need to apply insecticide without making any delay. Because pest attacks can seriously destroy your precious mints.
Since mint is a herb plant, eating fresh leaves is the priority here. You need to choose the best insecticide that will not toxify the leaves (our pick: Monterey Garden Insect Spray)
I’ve added some natural and homemade remedies below. These are very practical and easy. You can totally give them a try.
#Recipe:-1 Insecticidal Soap Recipe
Ingredients:
- 500 ml of Alcohol
- 1 liter of water
- 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap
Steps:
- Just combine everything and put the solution into the sprayer.
- Spray on both sides of the leaves.
#Recipe 2:- Neem Oil Recipe
Ingredients:
- 3 teaspoons of neem oil
- 2.5 liters of water
Steps:
- Mix the ingredients and spray in the plants every week.
- This mixture can be applied on a regular basis for pest prevention.
#Recipe 3:- Basil Tea Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 Cup of fresh basil
- 1 tablespoon of liquid soap
- 2 liters of water
Steps:
- Boil the water in a pot and then remove it from heat
- Add the basil leaves to the boiling and cover the pot.
- Wait until the water cools down and keep the pot covered.
- Then strain the leaves
- Mix the liquid soap and put the mixture into the sprayer.
Tip: Always use a small part of the homemade solution in a small area of a leaf. If the leaf burns or discolors then dilute the solution with some water to make it a milder solution. And apply to a small leaf again. If that particular recipe doesn’t get suited to your mint then try other recipes.
7. Diseases of Mint
Some fungal diseases like root rot and verticillium wilt can cause wilting and limping off of the mint plants. Spearmint and peppermint are especially very prone to diseases.
In the case of root rot, the mint plant starts to die from the bottom up. Root rot can be devastating. It first starts with yellowing the leaves. After that, the leaves start to wilt and die.
Control Measure
Apply a fungicide that is not chemically toxic. So that you can eat the leaves safely (our pick: Bonide Copper Fungicide)
Avoid overhead irrigation and overwatering. If you have closely planted mints then thin them out for better air circulation. Repot in fresh soil and remove the infected rotten roots with a sharp knife.
Try these easy home remedies for fungal problems:
#Recipe 1:- Baking Soda Spray Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of baking soda
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- 1 gallon of water
- 1 teaspoon of liquid dish soap
Steps:
- Combine everything and give a good shake
- Spray on the infected plants.
# Recipe 3:- Epsom Salt Spray Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt
- Half a gallon of water.
Steps
- Mix the salt with water and start spraying.
- You can spray this solution every other week if the problem continues.
Preventive Measure
Warm, damp, and humid conditions are favorable for diseases. So make sure you provide your mints with good aeration. Keep proper planting space between plants for better air circulation.
Water your mint plants early in the morning. So, the water drops on the leaves have the whole day to dry out in the sun. Change the potting mixture of your indoor mints if you suspect any fungal growth.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How Long Does It Take A Dying Mint Plant To Revive?
If the damage is severe, then it can take a while, even months. But if you identify the problem then you can start treating the problem at once. It will soon be healthy.
2. Does Mint Need Shade?
Not exactly. Mints prefer full sun. But in extremely hot conditions partial shade is very important to prevent sunburn.
3. What does Overwatered mint look like?
An overwatered mint plant firstly starts showing yellow leaves. The plant becomes very weak with leggy stems. Soon the leaves start to wilt and drop off from the plant.
Conclusion
In this article, I have tried to include all the information on why mint plants are dying with their practical solutions. I hope you have found this article helpful.
Water them nicely, give them the right amount of fertilizers, and help them fight off disease and pests. Your mints will turn back to green in no time.
Don’t forget to share your experience in the comments below and let us know how you saved your wilted mints.
