Harvest mint: Be sure to grab the scissors

Created: 06/21/2022, 08:00

By: Joana Lück

Summer is the best time to harvest mint because that is when the leaves contain the most essential oils.

But you should never pluck the leaves.

Munich – Mint is one of the fast-growing plants and can be harvested several times in one season.

But so that you can have something of your own planted specimen or that from the supermarket for as long as possible, you should pay attention to a few things.

Harvest mint: Be sure to grab the scissors

Fresh mint goes well with many dishes.

(Iconic image) © Pengejarsenja/Imago

Pick a few mint leaves here and there and use them to spice up mojitos, iced tea or desserts - everyone has probably done this at some point.

But even if this is practical and quick, there are a few things to keep in mind when harvesting mint:

• Take a pair of sharp, disinfected scissors and cut off whole stalks.

  At least one pair of leaves should remain on the plant so that new leaves can form from them.

• If you randomly pick individual leaves, this stresses the rest of the shoot.

• Make sure that the plant is dry when you cut it, so it is best to harvest the mint a few hours after the morning dew.

  The same goes for harvesting basil.

• Cut the sprouts of the mint

  reduced by half so that the plant can regenerate quickly.

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The fewer interfaces the plant has, the fewer essential oils can evaporate.

Especially with lush harvests in summer, it is advisable to dry mint.

Incidentally, mint bought from the supermarket lasts longer if you repot it.

You can easily get three to four new plants from a supermarket plant.