Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Assess the light levels in your plant's current spot.
- Check if the stems are leaning toward a light source.
- Look for new growth near the soil line.
Likely causes
Insufficient light
Most likelyHow to tell: The stems are long with large gaps between the leaves. The plant leans heavily toward the nearest window.
What to do: Move your mint to a spot that gets at least 6 hours of bright light daily. If you are growing indoors, place it in a south facing window or use a grow light.
Lack of pruning
PossibleHow to tell: The plant is tall but healthy, with no new growth appearing near the base. It looks sparse and top heavy.
What to do: Trim the stems back by one third to encourage bushy growth. Regular harvesting is the best way to keep mint compact and full.
When to worry
It is not a disease, but if left alone, the plant will become weak and prone to falling over. Pruning will fix this quickly.
Stopping it coming back
Harvest your mint often by pinching off the top sets of leaves to force side branching.
Not sure which one it is? Photograph your mint.
This page lists the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at your actual leaf and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
Questions people ask
- Can I save a leggy mint plant?
- Yes, simply cut the stems back to about 2 inches above the soil. It will grow back thicker and healthier with more light.
- How much sun does mint really need?
- Mint thrives in full sun to partial shade. If your plant is indoors, it needs as much bright light as you can provide.
More problems with Mint
This article was generated with AI from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.