Well, let me put it this way: We don’t live directly in the woods, but we’re not in the middle of the city either. In the summer, we have a lot going on there – mosquitoes, flies, and those little ants that always know exactly where to go to get into the kitchen. But you know what? Since the mint planted there – directly to the left of the door in a terracotta pot with a bit of gravel around it – things have really improved.
I didn’t really notice it at first, but then it struck me: fewer flies in the kitchen, fewer ants on the doorstep. And at some point, I read that mint is a natural insect repellent, so to speak. Then I thought to myself: Man, that’s perfect. No chemicals, no that disgusting spray smell – just let the plant do its thing. If that isn’t clever, I don’t know what is.
Third: Easy to care for like almost anything else
Well, I love flowers, but I sometimes forget about them. I’m only human. But mint – it’s really easy to handle. It grows like crazy, even if you ignore it for a few days. I usually water it briefly in the morning, when I have to go outside anyway, and sometimes only in the evening if it’s been hot.
But the best part: If it gets too long, I grab the kitchen scissors, trim it all back a bit – and voila! Two weeks later, it looks like new again. Sometimes I give it a sip of herb fertilizer, but really rarely. And soil? Just good potting soil from the hardware store, nothing special. The pot should have holes at the bottom, though, that’s important. It doesn’t like the roots standing in water at all.
Fourth: Air purifier to go
Did you know that mint purifies the air? I didn’t believe it at first, but it’s true. The plant draws pollutants out of the air – those little things we can’t even see – and releases fresh oxygen in its place. And you can feel it!
If you ever walk into our hallway, it just smells… clean. Fresh, but not like cleaning products. Just like nature. Even my husband noticed, and that’s saying something, because he doesn’t miss a thing – except when I tell him to take out the trash 😅
Fifth: It looks simply amazing
I told you that I just wanted something pretty in the beginning – and the mint fulfilled that perfectly. This rich green, these many small leaves – it really makes a statement. I then got an old enamel pot from a flea market and wrapped it with hemp rope to give it a more rustic look.
Just imagine: a gray-brown house wall, a wooden porch, a green pot full of mint next to it, and around it a few colorful stones and a small lantern. It looks like something out of a decorating magazine, says my nephew. And it was actually quite simple. You don’t need anything expensive, just a little imagination.
Sixth: For the kitchen – always at hand
What else I absolutely love: I no longer need to buy mint tea. I simply grab a few leaves in the morning, pour hot water over them, add a little honey, and that’s it. And when I make lemon water or a fresh salad with feta, voila – add mint, and it tastes like vacation.
And recently I even made mint syrup! Honestly, I saw it on Pinterest and thought I’d give it a try. It was so simple: water, sugar, mint, boil, strain, and you’re done. And it tastes amazing over vanilla ice cream or in sparkling water. My son loved it.
Seventh: Mint in winter? Of course!
Many people think that mint is only good in summer. But no, it’s a treasure in winter too. When it’s cold outside, I cut a few sprigs, tie them together with string, and hang them over the heater. The scent spreads throughout the hallway – without any artificial air fresheners.
And if you ever have a cold – mint! Simply place a few leaves in a bowl of hot water, cover with a towel, and inhale. My grandma used to do it. It helps better than some things you can buy at the pharmacy.
And let’s be honest…
How much does a mint plant cost? Two or three euros at the garden center. Or you can ask a neighbor if you can take a cutting – mint multiplies like crazy anyway. Once planted, you’ll have years of enjoyment. And you don’t have to have a green thumb.
I’m telling you, there are few things that require so little effort and yield so much.
My personal care tips, like at home:
– Don’t place the pot in the blazing midday sun. Morning sun is perfect.
– Water more often, but less often. If it rains, you can even skip watering.
– Prune the mint regularly, otherwise it’ll overwhelm everything.
– If you can, place it in a slightly larger pot – then it has room to develop. – And give it a few nutrients every now and then. I use liquid fertilizer for kitchen herbs, very sparingly.
Another little tip for craft lovers:
If you have children, why not make scented pillows with dried mint? Simply sew (or glue) small scraps of fabric together, add mint, and you’re done. I put them in the sock drawer or hang them in the closet. Smells great and even repels moths!
Conclusion from an ordinary housewife:
For me, mint at the entrance is much more than just a plant. It’s my little everyday hero. It smells good, looks beautiful, repels insects, helps relieve stress, provides fresh air, is useful in the kitchen, and costs almost nothing. What more could you want?
So if you want to bring a little more freshness, calm, and naturalness into your home, give it a try. Put a mint plant in front of your door. Maybe it’ll become a little daily ritual for you, like it has for me.
And who knows – maybe in a few weeks you’ll say to me, “Wow, thanks for the tip. The mint really makes a difference!”
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