Mint is an aromatic herbaceous plant much appreciated for its fragrance and flavour, fresh and powerful, which flavours raw vegetables, grilled dishes, sauces, desserts, infusions or tea. However, this perennial, hardy plant tends to spread very quickly via its running roots and can become invasive. To limit its spread and to multiply your mint plants, it is recommended to divide clumps regularly. Here are our tips to successfully divide mint and very easily obtain new young plants!

Mint in pot

Why divide mint?

Mint, like tarragon, tends to grow by spreading its underground stems, which gradually form suckers. These suckers, which are adventitious shoots, can become invasive. To remedy this problem, you can always plant it in a pot and bury it at the edges of your garden. But to limit its spread and obtain new, vigorous mint plants, it is recommended to divide clumps regularly, separating them into several parts that can be replanted and will produce new young plants. Dividing clumps also restores vigour to an ageing clump.

When to divide mint?

Mint is usually divided in spring, around April, or in autumn, in September–October, avoiding periods of frost or high heat that could impair establishment of your young plants.

Mint in pot

How to divide mint?

Required equipment :

How to proceed?

  • Gently lift the mint clump from the soil using the spade, taking care not to damage the roots.
  • Shake off soil from around the roots to free and clean them.
  • Cut away dead or damaged parts with pruning shear.
  • Divide the mint clump into several sections using a disinfected knife or pruning shear, ensuring each section has roots and shoots.
  • Once divided, replant the sections immediately. You can plant them straight into the ground or pot them.
Removal and planting of a mint sucker
Mint produces many suckers on its roots. Simply lift it and take a division that has roots and young shoots.

For transplanting into the garden: dig a hole about three times the volume of the root ball and plant in rich, fertile, moist soil. Space new young plants 30–40 cm apart, and water generously.

For container growing: place the divisions in a pot with drainage holes and good drainage (clay pebbles or gravel at the bottom). Fill the pot with potting compost, place the young plant and water.