mint · Asked on Facebook · 5 November 2026
How can I keep my mint plant alive indoors over winter?
Mint can survive indoors over winter with strong light, regular watering, and occasional trimming; a simple LED grow light or the sunniest window you have is usually enough.
The question
“Hello my fellow facebook friends. Im horrible with plants. Always have been, always will be. That being said, i bought a mint plant this now ending summer⨾ ive always wanted a mint plant. But im slowly killing it 😭 Does anyone have an extra grow light they dont need or use anymore? Nothing too big or crazy, just a little light so my plant will survive being indoors all winter. Or anything i can do that will help.”
What's likely going on
Mint is actually a tough plant, but it sulks quickly if light, water, or pot conditions aren’t right. Moving it indoors for winter is a big change, and that stress often shows up as droopy, pale, or dying stems.
The three most common issues:
- Not enough light indoors – A bright outdoor spot suddenly turns into a dim windowsill. Mint stretches, gets leggy and weak, and leaves may yellow or drop.
- Watering problems – Indoors, soil stays wet longer. Too much water leads to root rot; too little makes stems crisp and dry. Mint likes evenly moist, not soggy or bone‑dry.
- Crowded or tired roots – If it’s still in the nursery pot or very root‑bound, it can struggle to take up water and nutrients.
A small grow light can help a lot, but you can also tweak care to get your mint through winter.
What to do
Give it the brightest spot you have
South- or west-facing window is best. Put the pot right up at the glass.Use a simple grow light if you can
A basic full-spectrum LED grow bulb over the plant for 10–12 hours a day is enough. Keep it about 15–30 cm (6–12 in) above the leaves.Check the pot and soil
If roots are circling the pot or popping out of the bottom, repot into a slightly larger pot with drainage holes and fresh potting mix.Water the right way
Poke your finger into the soil. When the top 2–3 cm (about an inch) feel dry, water thoroughly until it drains out the bottom, then empty any saucer so it’s not sitting in water.Trim it back
Cut back long, leggy stems. This encourages bushier new growth and reduces stress on weak, old leaves.Skip heavy feeding in winter
If it looks very pale, a light all-purpose fertilizer once a month is enough.
How to prevent it
- Always use pots with drainage holes.
- Keep mint in strong light from day one; it’s a sun‑lover.
- Regularly pinch tips to keep it bushy and prevent it from getting tall and floppy.
- In warm months, keep it outdoors where it gets at least a few hours of direct sun.
When to worry
- Stems turn black and mushy, and soil smells sour: likely root rot – cut off the worst parts, repot into fresh, well-drained soil, and water less often.
- No new green growth at all for many weeks, even with good light: trim it back and check roots; if roots are mostly brown and mushy, you may need to start again with a fresh plant.
With decent light, careful watering, and a little trimming, mint is one of the easiest plants to bounce back, even after a rough patch.
Answered by the GrowPls assistant. Every plant and room is different; if things don't improve, a clear close-up photo of the affected part is the fastest way to a better answer.
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