Prune a Peppermint: [Importance, Time, Tools, Considerations and Steps]
When it comes to pruning peppermint, there are many elements that we have to consider so that the action goes as it should.
It is not just about cutting parts here and there , but about doing it with a specific planning that allows you to keep it in optimal health and very beautiful.
As it is so widely used in the culinary field, it is common for plants grown in home gardens to serve as a fresh source of leaves for meals. The detail is to avoid an exaggerated use of a single specimen, as they would soon cease to be useful as they were left with very small shoots.
Either way, it is our task to inform you of everything that has to do with pruning peppermint and making yours the most appropriate decision for your plant .
Why prune peppermint?
The pruning of peppermint meets many objectives, although the main one is always to have a plant with better structure and quality . Pruning applied wisely helps the internal energy to be optimally distributed, making it easier for all parts to be strengthened and grow more.
Likewise, it contributes so that the various parts that may be damaged for any reason are disincorporated and thus avoid greater evils. When you prune a peppermint, you are offered the possibility of enjoying a greater amount of air and light circulating inside it, which prevents the attack of diseases.
When is it better to prune peppermint?
It is advisable to apply an annual pruning to the peppermint plants which will be carried out in early spring , ensuring that there are no risks of frost.
In areas where the climate tends to be warm throughout the year, pruning can be planned in late fall because winter will not present any conflict.
In the case of pruning that is aimed at maintenance, to remove branches in poor condition for example, they can be applied at any time.
What tools should we use when pruning a peppermint?
Peppermint has a thin branch structure that can be easily manipulated with small pruning shears .
You just have to make sure they are sharp and clean them with alcohol before any cuts to reduce the risk of the wounds becoming contaminated.
What considerations should we take into account when pruning peppermint?
Peppermint is a plant that does not cause major inconveniences when pruning because it is usually simple in structure.
However, it is very valuable to do a general review of the entire plant before proceeding to apply any cut to facilitate the route to follow. Pruning tasks carry a lot of responsibility because a poorly executed cut will not be able to fix it.
How to prune peppermint without damaging the plant?
The easiest route to prune peppermint is by following the steps mentioned below:
- Clean the entire plant of the parts that are noticeable in poor condition such as dry branches or leaves. Also include any stems that you see disorganized and are colliding or entangled with each other. This phase of pruning corresponds to the maintenance that you can apply at any time of the year.
- Check the location of the suckers that have grown between the main and secondary stalks and remove them . The suckers are parts that will not develop but that are capable of subtracting a large amount of energy from the plant.
- Cut the shoots that usually appear around the root . The idea is that the plant concentrates all its energy in becoming vigorous and producing better stems of its own and not in working for the growth of a new plant.
- If the plant has already covered a few seasons and you notice it losing vitality, a good strategy is to get rid of the older stems by cutting them flush with the main stem . This action will allow the plant to regrow more strongly and continue giving you the benefits that you have been able to enjoy until now. It is a rejuvenation pruning that you will have to administer carefully so as not to cause more injuries than it is capable of supporting because it could die.
When the peppermint plant is kept in spaces with cool climates but that do not suffer from winter frosts, it is common to cut the leaves when needed. As it is a very light pruning that barely removes a couple of leaves, the specimen will feel stimulated to produce more.
If you are in an area where there are risks of frost, you can prune and store the parts that are in good condition for use in the kitchen. You will have to let these branches dry and then store in a glass jar so that they are available whenever you like.
Any dish or drink with peppermint gets an exquisite flavor, that’s why you can’t help but take advantage of having it at home.
