Most don’t know. How to grow mint from cuttings in hanging plastic bottles. Full article 👇 💬

 

What You’ll Gain by Doing It This Way

Before the how‑to, here are the advantages of propagating mint from cuttings in hanging plastic bottles:

• Recycling: plastic bottles get repurposed instead of trashed

• Space efficiency: hanging bottles use vertical space, great for balconies, small yards, or indoors

• Easy propagation: mint roots readily, so you get success fast

• Mobility: bottles can be moved to optimize light, shade, etc.

• Decoration: nice visual feature, greenery hanging, smell of mint adds sensory dimension

Also you can continuously harvest fresh mint, which saves buying and ensures flavor.

---

What You’ll Need: Tools & Materials

Item	Why It’s Needed
Plastic bottles (1‑2 liter PET bottles work well)	Provide container, recycled resource, drainable and lightweight
Sharp scissors or utility knife	To cut the bottle cleanly without jagged edges
Drill, nail, or heated metal object	To make drainage holes, hanging holes
String, wire, cord	To hang the bottle securely
Potting mix / soil (light, well‑draining)	To support rooted mint once transferred, or for direct soil planting in bottle
Mint cuttings or small starter plants	The living material you’ll grow from
Clean water, watering can / spray bottle	To water & keep soil moist or for rooting in water first
Optional: rooting hormone (liquid or powder)	Speeds rooting, improves success rate
Optional: mulch, compost, organic fertilizer	To feed the plant once established

---

When to Start

• Spring or early summer is ideal: mint roots quickly when temperatures are warm (but not scorching) and daylight is strong.

• Avoid very cold or freezing times; frost can kill young mint.

• If you live in a warm climate, you can do this almost any time except peak heat hours or when very dry.

---

Step‑by‑Step "Recipe" to Grow Mint from Cuttings in Hanging Plastic Bottles

Here’s the full recipe‑style workflow. Follow each step, pausing as needed.

---

Step 1: Prepare the Bottle

1. Select the bottle: A clean, empty clear plastic bottle works well. (1‑2L size is a good balance of space & manageability.)

2. Wash it thoroughly (soap & water), remove labels (or peel off) so you can monitor soil/root moisture and avoid fungal hiding places.

3. Cut the bottle: There are a few variations:

   • Horizontal cut around the bottle so you use the bottom half as planter, and top half can be used for shade or funneling water (or discarded/repurposed).

   • Or cut a window or opening on the side to plant cuttings horizontally.

   • If hanging, use bottle intact with side opening as “mouth” for planting.

4. Make drainage holes in bottom (if bottom half used) so water doesn’t pool. Root rot is a risk if water can’t drain.

5. Make hanging holes: near top of bottle, make two small holes on opposite sides to insert string/wire. Ensure they’re strong enough to support weight of soil + plant + water.

6. Optional: add a thin layer of gravel, small stones, or coarse material at bottom to improve drainage and prevent soil from clogging holes.

---

Step 2: Prepare the Mint Cuttings

1. Choose a healthy mint plant; avoid plants showing disease or wilting.

2. With clean scissors or pruning shears, take cuttings about 4‑6 inches (≈ 10‑15 cm) long, ideally just below a leaf node (place where leaf emerges from stem). Good cut just below node gives more potential rooting points. (Ideal Home via Ideal Home)

3. Remove the lower leaves from the bottom 1‑2 inches so that part is bare (so when submerged in water or soil, leaves aren’t rotting). Keep a few leaves at top for photosynthesis but don’t overload.

4. Optional: dip the cut end in rooting hormone to help roots form (especially if your climate is cooler or dry).

---

Step 3: Rooting (in Water or Directly in Soil Bottle)

You have two good paths: root first in water, then move to soil; or plant directly in soil in bottle. Either works, mint is forgiving.

Option A: Water rooting first

• Place cuttings in clean water with the bare stem submerged but leaves above water. Change water every 2‑3 days (so it stays fresh, avoid stagnation). (GrowMint plastic bottle article via Natural Garden Tips)

• Keep in bright, indirect light; avoid scorching sun through bottle magnifying effect.

• After about 1‑2 weeks you should see roots begin to form. Once roots are a few cm (≈1‑2 in) long, move to soil bottle.

Option B: Direct in soil in hanging bottle

• Fill soil (well‑draining potting mix) into the prepared bottle up to a bit below rim. Leave top space for watering.

• Plant the cutting into soil at a depth where the bare stem is covered; nodes buried or just at soil line. Press soil gently around it so stem is supported.

• Water well to settle soil. Moist, but not soggy. Drainage must work.

---

Step 4: Hang & Position

• Use the holes you made in the bottle to insert string or wire, tie securely. Make sure bottle hangs balanced and won’t tip.

• Choose location: bright indirect sunlight or morning sun is good; avoid harsh midday sun especially through plastic (can overheat soil). Partial shade works well. (Grow Fresh Mint with Recycled Plastic Bottles via Recipes4home)

• Ensure the hanging bottle is accessible for watering, pruning, harvest; and sheltered from strong wind if possible.

---

Step 5: Watering & Care

• Keep soil consistently moist but avoid waterlogging. Mint likes moisture but too much water and poor drainage causes root rot.

• Check soil moisture by inserting finger ~1 inch into soil; if it feels dry there, water.

• In water‑rooting phase, change water every few days, clean bottle to avoid algae or bacteria buildup.

• Fertilize lightly: once roots are established in soil, feed with a balanced liquid or organic fertilizer every 4‑6 weeks. Mint isn’t very demanding, but feeding helps lush, flavorful growth.

• Prune / pinch regularly: pinching back tips encourages bushier growth rather than tall, leggy stems. Removing flowers (if they appear) also helps leaf production.

---

Step 6: Harvesting & Use

• You can begin harvesting leaves once plant is established and has enough foliage—usually 4‑6 weeks after rooting or planting.

• Harvest by cutting stems above a node; don’t strip entire stem; leave enough for plant to continue growing.

• Regular harvesting promotes new growth and fuller bushes.

• Use fresh leaves, dry, or freeze; frequent cutting keeps plant energy in making leaves rather than flowers/seed.

---

Troubleshooting: Common Problems & Fixes

Problem	Possible Cause(s)	How to Fix
Cuttings fail to root	Too many leaves left, water too deep, lack of nodes, temperature too low	Remove lower leaves, ensure node submerged (for water rooting) or buried (for soil), keep warm (15‑25°C), use rooting hormone
Water becomes murky / moldy	Stagnant water, inadequate water changes, algae growth	Change water frequently, use clean container, keep out of direct harsh sun, maybe rinse bottle interior
Soil stays soggy / roots rot	Poor drainage holes, soil too compact, water too often	Ensure drainage, use light potting mix, reduce watering frequency, let soil partially dry between watering
Leaves yellowing	Overwatering, lack of nutrients, poor light	Balance watering, check drainage, feed lightly, move to better light spot
Plant becomes leggy / sparse	Too little light, no pinching back, long uncut stems	Provide more light, prune regularly, harvest often

---

Variations & Advanced Tricks

• Self‑watering version: use two bottles—top bottle as water reservoir, bottom bottle for mint—with a wicking straw or strip of cloth connecting them so moisture is drawn gradually. Recipes4Home gives such variant. Recipes4home

• Multiple cuttings per bottle: If you have cuttings, you can plant several around bottle sides or top insert to have a bushier combined plant. Be careful to leave enough space so they don’t crowd too much.

• Coloring / design: paint the bottles, decorate them to match your space. Make slits/windows so light reaches roots somewhat (if you like observing).

• Mixed herbs: you can combine mint with other herbs in the same bottle (e.g. basil, thyme) if their care needs match. But mint spreads fast, so monitor competition.

• Winter care: in cooler climates, hang indoors or move bottle to pot inside; reduce watering; keep in bright window.

---

Timeline: What to Expect, Week by Week

Here’s a sample timeline from planting to harvest:

Week	What Happens / What You Should Do
Week 0	Prepare bottles, take cuttings, clean everything; root in water or plant directly into soil bottle.
Week 1	Roots should begin forming (if in water). Soil plants should settle; keep soil/water moist; avoid overwatering.
Week 2 – Week 3	Stronger root system; new leaf growth; begin light feeding (optional); ensure good light.
Week 4	Plant should look healthy, fill out; begin harvesting small amounts; pinch tips to encourage branching.
Week 5‑6	Harvest regularly; plants will be bushy; monitor for any disease or pests; maintain pruning.

---

Why Many People Fail Without Knowing These Details

• They forget drainage; waterlogging kills cuttings.

• They leave many leaves below water or soil line → rot.

• They put bottles in too‑hot sun → water/soil overheats → damage.

• They don’t change water → stagnation, algae, bacterial growth.

• They let mint flower → reduces leaf flavour & slows growth.

• They don’t prune = plant becomes leggy, weak stems.

Having all these details tends to make the difference between a mint cutting that dies and a lush plant you harvest from weekly.

---

Case Examples & Evidence

• From DIYEverywhere: detailed instructions on using 2‑liter bottles, cuttings just below nodes, drainage holes, hanging, thriving growth in bottles. DIY Everywhere

• Recipes4Home: shows version with two bottles (one reservoir) and small watering straw for slow drip, to avoid overwatering. Recipes4home

• Containergardening.wordpress.com: growing mint in bottle as windowsill herb, saving water, showing that even with minimal soil the plant can flourish. CONTAINER GARDENING

---

Full Printable “Master” Steps

Here’s a clean version you could print out / stick to fridge, the “master recipe”:

1. Gather supplies: clean plastic bottle, soil, mint cuttings, string, tools.

2. Clean and prepare bottle: wash, cut, make holes (drain & hanging).

3. Prepare mint cuttings: healthy stem, leaf nodes, trimmed leaves.

4. Decide rooting method: water first or soil direct.

5. Root or plant: water cuttings until roots form, or plant in soil.

6. Hang bottle in spot with bright, indirect light.

7. Water regularly; keep soil moist but well‑drained. Change water often if rooting in water.

8. Prune / harvest regularly; pinch back to encourage bushiness.

9. Fertilize lightly every 4‑6 weeks once established.

10. Watch for pests, yellowing, overwatering and adjust.

---

If you like, I can send you a version of this tailored for Casablanca / Morocco (sun intensity, seasons, indoor vs outdoor) — with what mint varieties do best there, when to start cuttings, etc. Want that adaptation?