There is a lot to be said for maintaining peppermint on the balcony. On the one hand, the robust plant thrives almost everywhere. On the other hand, when planting in pots or buckets, propagation via runners can be easily controlled. Tips for growing peppermint on the balcony.
How do I grow peppermint on the balcony?
To grow peppermint on the balcony, choose a partially shaded, wind-protected location and use loose, humus-rich garden soil in a planter with drainage holes. Water regularly and fertilize with organic fertilizer if necessary. Peppermint is hardy, but requires winter protection on the balcony.
Grow peppermint on the balcony
- Partially shaded location
- Light wind protection
- Loose, humus-rich garden soil
- Plant pots with drainage holes
Sow the peppermint right away. Prepare the planter by filling it with nutritious, loose garden soil.
Scatter the seeds and do not cover them, because peppermint is a light germinator. After emergence, separate the plants.
You can also easily care for runners that you have dug up in the garden in the pot on the balcony.
The right location is important
Peppermint doesn't like direct sun. Therefore, place the planter as brightly as possible but without direct sunlight. The herb also grows in the shade, but then it doesn't become as aromatic.
Peppermint thrives better if the location is somewhat sheltered from the wind.
Watering and fertilizing
You have to water the peppermint on the balcony more often as the soil in the pot dries out more easily.
If the potting soil does not provide enough nutrients, you can add some fertilizer. Use only organic fertilizers and never fertilize just before flowering. Then the taste changes.
Peppermint is hardy
Peppermint tolerates sub-zero temperatures well outdoors. On the balcony it needs some winter protection as the soil in the pot freezes much faster.
Place the pot on a Styrofoam plate so that the cold cannot penetrate from below. Before winter, cut the peppermint down completely and cover it with winter protection.
The branches of conifers have proven particularly useful here because they lose their needles in spring and the plant receives enough light again in time for spring.
Tips & Tricks
When planting peppermint in the garden, you need to ensure that it does not spread too much. It forms many runners that must be continually removed. The pot on the balcony is a natural root barrier, so you can keep the herb under control.
