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very easy · windowsill
So vigorous it is hard to kill, and so invasive it should always be kept in its own pot.
Mentha spicata · Lamiaceae
It grows from a cutting in a glass of water, tolerates shade, and comes back year after year with no attention.
Day 0
Cut a 10cm sprig just below a leaf node and strip the lower leaves. Buying a plant is unnecessary.
Week 1-2
Stand it in a glass of water on a windowsill. Roots appear within one to two weeks.
Week 3
Once roots are 3-4cm long, pot into compost and keep it well watered while it settles.
Week 4 onward
Pick from the top to keep it bushy, and pinch out flower buds to keep the leaf flavour strong.
Cause: Mint rust, a fungal disease.
Fix: Remove and bin affected growth — do not compost it. Improve air flow and avoid watering the leaves.
Cause: The plant is old and pot-bound.
Fix: Divide the root ball in spring and replant a healthy section in fresh compost.
Before you eat anything you grow: be certain of the identification. This guide describes mint specifically — it is not a way to confirm that an unknown plant is safe. Never eat a plant on the strength of an app alone.