Mint plant dying

11 years ago

I am a college student and recently decided to grow some mint in a pot. My initial attempts with cuttings from the market failed (grew a few roots in water and then died), so I acquired some mint plants from a relative. They were relatively large (over 12 inches), and I took some of the soil they grew in, packed it around the root ball and got it by flight.

I planted it around 2 weeks ago in some local soil. Unfortunately, where I study, the soil is red and not very good quality. Nevertheless, I had heard mint was quite hardy, so I planted it anyway.

Initially, a few leaves became yellow and died, but on the whole the plant seemed to be doing alright. It had decent sun for 4-5 hours daily. Watered once in two days.

In the last 3-4 days, a lot of leaves have started turning brown at the edges and seem to be dying off. There are a lot of new buds on the lower parts of the plants, but the browning is definitely accelerating. Attached is a picture.

More info: it's been raining for two days. I've kept the plant dry but sunlight is in very short supply.

Can this plant be saved? Better soil?

Comments (6)

fatamorgana2121
11 years ago
It is hard to tell soil from a picture but I would suggest different soil. Something that is lighter, more organic material rich would be good. Do you have compost available? Or commercial potting soil?

Do you have drainage holes poked into the bottom of your container? If not, do so.

Mint does prefer full sun so whatever you can do to get it sunlight would be good.

FataMorgana
tushaar
Original Author
11 years ago
Another update, most of the leaves have shriveled up. Even the new buds which were appearing seem to be wilting.

However, a couple of runners seems to have come up through the soil and seem to be looking quite good. Should I just let them grow? Should I massively prune the rest of the plant to promote growth?

Does the growth of the runners indicate the plant has taken to the soil (which is admittedly bad)?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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eibren
11 years ago
The runners look healthy, so all is not lost.

Possibly you could allow them access to a new container provided with soil as mentioned above, and drainage holes, and see what they do with that option.

I frequently place pots of plants with runners that I want to spread into my garden into the portion of the garden I want them in, and let the plant do the work.
barnhardt9999
11 years ago
I would say the runners indicate the plant likes the soil and will make it. I think you can cut it down to about 2-3 inches above the soil and everything will be fine. Shock of transplanting and disruption to the roots during that process is probably starving the top of the plants.
karachigardener
11 years ago
What type of mint is it?
karachigardener
11 years ago
What type of mint is it?