How to: propagate your own mint in a glass of water

Propagating mint couldn't be easier and it is the perfect activity for a beginner gardener because you will achieve fast results. Once your plant has grown you will have your own fresh supply that is free from plastic and pesticides.

By putting a cutting in a glass of water instead of a pot of soil you can have fun watching the roots grow. You just need to be gentle when you plant your cutting to ensure that you don't damage the roots.

This is a great activity to do with kids who might like to test out if there are any other plants that can also be grown this way.

There are many different mints to match your every culinary purpose. At the moment I'm growing spearmint, peppermint, Vietnamese mint and common mint.

Varieties of mint include:

Spearmint

Peppermint

Vietnamese mint

How to propagate

1. Find a left over piece of mint from a bunch you have bought from the markets or a grocery store or ask your friends if they have a plant you could take a cutting from.

2. Cut a stem of mint around 15cm in length. Choose a thick, healthy stem and cut just below a node (the bump in the stem you will see the leaves shoot from).

3. Gently pull off about one-third to half of the leaves.

4. Place the stem of mint in a clean glass of water out of direct sunlight. If the weather is hot try placing half a cut bottle over the top of the plant to create a terrarium effect.

5. Watch it grow! Soon you will have your very own mint plant.

Plant your mint in a container

When you are ready, transfer your cutting into a container of soil and keep well-watered with some protection from the harsh afternoon sun.

Mint can become an invasive plant in the garden so it is best grown in a container, or in a submerged pot within a garden bed. I find it easier to grow in containers, and I re-plant mine each year to ensure I get lush growth.

If you feel inspired to grow some other plants this way try watercress, rosemary or members of the salvia family of plants such as pineapple sage.

Try growing some cuttings straight into soil too. You'll be amazed by what you can grow and what fun you can have along the way.

Read this next: Greening your thumb: 10 basic tips for becoming a successful gardener

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All other images: Anna Gregory