Can Mint Purify the Air? Read This Article to Find Out
Mint is an aromatic crop with special economic value, also known as wild mint, night-rest fragrance, silver dan grass, etc. It mostly grows in mountain wilds, wetlands and by rivers, with rhizomes spreading underground. It is widely distributed in the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, and is found throughout China. It can be used as medicine, as a vegetable, and also as a potted ornamental plant. Let's take a look below at whether mint can purify the air!
Can mint purify the air?
Mint can purify the air. Mint gives off mint essential oil with a cooling scent, which can purify the stuffy air in a bedroom. Especially after sleeping for a night, the bedroom contains a lot of stale waste gas produced by breathing, and a fresh, natural scent is urgently needed to purify it. Moreover, mint oil can stimulate the nerves, lift one's spirits and refresh the mind. For people who feel muddled all day and lack energy for work and study, frequently smelling the scent of mint leaves can make them feel more energized.
Can mint really repel mosquitoes?
Mint does have a certain mosquito-repelling effect. The menthol oil, menthone and menthol contained in mint are easily released and can disperse mosquitoes to a certain extent. In addition, mint also contains insect-repelling essential oil, and the scent of this essential oil is very mild and harmless to the human body. Therefore, it can be used as an indoor insect-repelling plant. Although its mosquito-repelling effect is relatively limited, its advantage lies in being purely natural and harmless to the human body.
How do you grow potted mint well?
1. Soil: Mint is not picky about soil, but it likes fertile, loose soil. If the flower pot is too small or there is too little soil, the nutrients cannot keep up and it will grow very slowly. Therefore, use soil with strong air and water permeability and fertility. Ordinary garden soil or leaf mold with a little chicken manure fertilizer added is enough.
2. Sunlight: Mint likes ample sunlight, so it must be placed in a sunny place. There is no need to worry even when the summer sun is strong. Insufficient sunlight easily leads to leggy growth, leaves that do not grow large, and a particularly weak and thin appearance. The whole pot may gradually become smaller and smaller.
3. Water: Mint likes a moist soil environment and is relatively tolerant of moisture. Especially during the growing period, the soil should be kept moist, but the amount of water must not be too large, and waterlogging must be strictly avoided. When watering normally, maintain the habit of “do not water until dry, and water thoroughly when watering”.
4. Fertilizing: Mint likes fertilizer. During its growing period, apply fertilizer once a month, mainly nitrogen fertilizer, and phosphorus and potassium fertilizer can also be applied appropriately. If branches and leaves need to be harvested during the growing period, fertilize at the time of harvesting to promote the plant's recovery of a good plant shape.
5. Temperature: Mint has a relatively strong ability to adapt to temperature. Its rhizomes overwinter and can withstand a low temperature of -15°C. Its most suitable growth temperature is 25-30°C. When the temperature is below 15°C, growth is slow, and when it is above 20°C, growth speeds up.
6. Pruning: Mint grows very vigorously, so it must be pruned regularly. Once old plants no longer have a fresh scent, they can be cut. Moreover, mint is very tough. Even if it is pruned frequently and its leaves are used for making tea or other purposes, there is no problem. The more it is cut, the more luxuriant it grows.
7. Repotting: Mint grows quickly, so repotting should be done once every spring. Mint is not strict about soil requirements, but it likes fertile, well-drained neutral or alkaline soil. The potting medium can be prepared from materials such as leaf mold, garden soil, rice husk ash or coarse sand.