How to Grow Peppermint Cuttings

Cut off 3- to 5-inch sections from a growing, healthy peppermint plant. The best time to obtain cuttings from peppermint is between May and July. Choose cuttings from fresh growth that can be broken off easily when bent.

Place the cuttings in 1 inch of water to keep them from drying out until you are ready to plant them. Do not keep the cuttings soaking in water for more than 24 hours. If you can't plant them within 24 hours, place them inside a plastic bag and set them in a refrigerator.

Mix together equal amounts of perlite and peat moss. Scoop the perlite and peat moss mixture into plastic pots. Use 4-inch wide pots or 6-inch wide pots. The peat moss and perlite mixture should fill to within about 1/2 inch from the pot rim.

Strip the cuttings of all leaves, except one set. Cut the remaining pair of leaves in half to encourage the cuttings to take root.

Cut each cutting into a 2-to-3 inch section. Cut the base of each cutting at a 45-degree angle.

Poke three holes in the soil in each of the pots. Use a chopstick or a pencil to do this. Each hole should be between 1.5 to 2 inches deep.

Plant one cutting about 2 inches deep into each of the holes you created. Push the growing medium down firmly around each cutting.

Water each of the pots thoroughly, making sure to soak the medium. Mist the pots with water to encourage humidity. Transfer each pot to a south or southwest-facing window, out of direct sunlight. The temperature needs to remain consistently above 50 F.

Cover each pot with a plastic bag, securing them with rubber bands if needed. During the rooting period, do not move the pots to avoid disturbing the rooting process. Provide a regular daily misting to encourage rooting. You should start to see new sprouts indicating the cuttings have taken root within two to three weeks.

Remove the plastic bags once you start to see new shoots actively growing. Fertilize the peppermint plants every three weeks using a water-soluble fertilizer such as 12-12-12 at the rate of one to 1.5 tsp. for every 1 gallon of water.