Mint is a vigorous plant often started from cuttings or runners, which look like miniature versions of the mature herb. When mint is grown from seed, a seedling emerges, marking the first stage of its life cycle. This article focuses on the physical appearance of these young mint seedlings. Identifying these tiny plants is helpful for gardeners, allowing for proper care and distinction from small weeds.
The Initial Sprout Stage
The mint plant first emerges from the soil with a pair of leaves called cotyledons. These initial leaves are small, simple, and rounded or oval, often a bright, uniform green color. They are structurally distinct from the plant’s mature foliage and provide the seedling with stored energy until it can begin photosynthesis.
Shortly after the cotyledons unfold, the first pair of true leaves appears, emerging from the growing point between the seed leaves. These true leaves are miniature versions of the mature plant’s foliage, characterized by a more pointed shape and an opposite arrangement on the stem. The edges of these tiny leaves may show the first signs of serration, which is characteristic of the mature mint leaf.
Identifying Features of Mint Seedlings
Even when small, mint seedlings exhibit features that confirm their identity as members of the Lamiaceae family. The primary distinguishing characteristic is the stem’s structure, which is square in cross-section rather than round. This four-sided stem can be gently felt or observed, setting mint apart from most other young plants.
The developing true leaves also begin to display the texture of mature mint, which can be slightly fuzzy or wrinkled, depending on the specific variety. A non-visual identifier is the release of the mint aroma, which comes from volatile oils concentrated in the leaves and stems. Gently rubbing a true leaf will release this scent, providing a reliable way to confirm the plant’s identity.
Early Vegetative Development
Following the initial true leaves, the seedling progresses into a vigorous vegetative growth phase. Subsequent sets of leaves grow larger and resemble the mature, typically lance-shaped foliage, maintaining the opposite arrangement along the stem. The stem continues to strengthen, and the points where the leaves attach, known as nodes, become more pronounced.
The plant’s natural growth pattern soon shifts to lateral expansion, which is characteristic of the genus Mentha. The seedling begins to develop side shoots or runners (stolons or suckers). This rapid spreading tendency allows the mint plant to quickly colonize an area.