Plant mint on the balcony

What you need:

• Potting soil
• Planter
• water
• small garden tools

Mint varieties as crops - also in Germany

Originally comes the mint from temperate climates. The plants grow wild in nature and so there are countless varieties in different regions of Europe. By the way, peppermint is only a sub-variety. All varieties are suitable for growing on the balcony.

• Germany even has a peppermint museum. This is in the place Eichenau in Bavaria. There and in other regions in the Palatinate, Bavaria and in the east of Thuringia, mint is grown and harvested in fields.
• In the Thuringian growing area there is even a small so-called "peppermint railway". This has its own route, which is specially designed for the transport of the harvest of the cultivated there Herbs was established.
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• Mint is grown and harvested primarily for its oil content and the menthol found in the older leaves. The plants belong to the medicinal herbs.
• The leaves are mainly used. They are used either as a tea or as a spice. The consumption of mint is said to lower body temperature, which is why the tea is often recommended for febrile colds.


Buy fresh mint - this is important to note

If you can buy fresh mint in stores, you should get hold of it. Because it is suitable ...

Mint on the balcony - care tips

The mint plants all lose their leaves in autumn. You can't prevent that on the balcony either. Nevertheless, the plants are winter or frost hardy and sprout again next spring.

• You can create optimal conditions for your mint on the balcony by placing the plants in larger plant pots or tubs. However, the vessels do not have to be extremely deep. Add pebbles or something else to the bottom of the pot for drainage and use good potting soil.
• Mint plants are perennial plants. They have relatively shallow roots and reproduce underground with new shoots. The shorter the time of day, the more the plants form new shoots.
• Mint is considered a so-called long-day plant. The longer it gets light, the more stately and upright it will grow. It likes to stand in partial shade and tolerates great heat. However, you need to water them sufficiently regularly.
• Propagation is possible by cuttings. Just cut off a branch and put it in a glass of water. New roots will form and you can plant the offshoot.
• Never harvest too many leaves, it will weaken even the strongest plant. Primarily pick the larger leaves and let the small ones grow - but not all of the large leaves at once. The large leaves take in more light and this is what the plant needs. Let the leaves grow back in peace.

Mint as a spice and as a tea

Fresh mint leaves smell wonderful. Just wipe your mint on the balcony with one hand every now and then and enjoy the scent of the plants.

• The fragrance is created by the essential oil in the leaves. From this, for example, peppermint oil can be obtained, which you can find as an essential oil in fragrance lamps or in bath oil. Peppermint can also be found as an ingredient in many types of perfume.
• You can harvest the leaves of your mint, then dry and press them like autumn leaves between sheets of blotting paper. Then crumble the dried leaves and brew them into a delicious tea.
• A sprig of your mint as an addition to your cooking oil is just as delicious as individual mint leaves as a spice in a cocktail glass.
• You can also use the leaves of the mint to refine homemade ice cream. Also in a punch or as an addition to a simple glass of water, in addition to lemon and ice, the leaves refine the taste.
• In addition to all of this, there are various dishes that you can season with mint. This includes salads, jams, and some meat dishes. Mostly it concerns dishes from the Mediterranean, more Arab cuisine.

Enjoy the freshness that mint leaves convey and take advantage of the plants on your balcony. Good succeed!