Mint has a reputation for being one of the most enthusiastic growers in the garden. It spreads easily, often taking over garden beds and treading into invasive territory. But that eager-growing habit also means that it's the perfect herb to try out your propagation skills. You can easily propagate mint, growing new plants to share with friends and family. And, if you're the one hoping for a new mint plant without a trip to the nursery, it shouldn't be hard to find a cutting. "If you ask any gardener, it's likely they have way too much mint in their garden and they'd be happy to share with you," says Ren Elizabeth, gardener and blogger at Eco Friendly Homestead. Here's how to propagate mint to grow new plants. Meet the Expert Ren Elizabeth is a gardener and blogger at Eco Friendly Homestead. Mint is incredibly easy to propagate in just a few quick steps: Select a sprig of mint that looks lush and healthy. Choose a sprig with vibrant green leaves, particularly at the top. Cut the sprig from the plant using clean, sharp scissors, carefully removing the cutting from just below a leaf node. This is the place where leaves connect to the stem. Remove all leaves from the bottom third of the stem, leaving only those healthy looking leaves at the top of the cutting If you want to give your mint cutting an extra boost, Elizabeth says, "you can add in some rooting hormone, but it's not a necessary step." If you choose to do this, dip the stem in rooting hormone before moving on to the next step. Submerge the cutting in a small jar of fresh water. Make sure none of the leaves are touching the water. You may need to use a pair of popsicle sticks to prop the leaves up out of the water. Place the jar in a sunny window. Elizabeth explains that within a few short weeks, you should start to see small root hairs forming at the base of the stem. These will quickly grow, indicating your mint is ready to start its own chapter as a new plant. Want more gardening tips? Sign up for our free gardening newsletter for our best growing tips, troubleshooting hacks, and more! Tip For an even quicker method to propagate mint, you can also cut a stem of mint just below a leaf node or take a sprig from the soil. "For the highest rate of success, you'll want some in-tact root material from the mint plant. Look for a stem with at least a few root hairs on it," Elizabeth says. Stick the cutting into a pot with moist soil. It should begin to take root, though propagating in water is generally considered a more foolproof method. How to Plant Rooted Mint Cuttings Within a few weeks, you'll notice that the root growth on your mint has reached a point where it appears to be viable to grow on its own. "When the root hairs are around one inch in length, you can plant your mint cutting up to the top leaves in a container," Elizabeth says. Make sure you use fresh potting soil that is adequately moist. Keep the new plants in indirect sunlight for the first several weeks to let them adjust to their new home. Continue to water the mint regularly so they soil stays consistently moist. Elizabeth's biggest tip, however, isn't anything to do with enabling the mint to thrive—it generally does that on its own. Rather, she has a warning to prevent your new plant from taking over your garden. "As someone who has made the mistake of planting mint directly into my garden soil, please do not do this unless you would like the mint to take over your garden for all of eternity," Elizabeth says.

Basil is an herb known for loving sun and warm weather conditions, so it might be alarming to suddenly see the shiny, fragrant leaves shriveling up, and beg the question: why is your basil wilting? There are a handful of care requirements to pay attention to when you're growing basil, and there are a few specific factors that could be responsible for wilting leaves. If you noticed your basil taking a turn, it's not too late to save it. We spoke with two experts to help revive your basil. Meet the Expert Ward Dilmore is a landscaping expert and founder of California-based Petrus Landscaping. Samuel Davis is a horticulturist and the CEO of London Gardeners. Why Your Basil Plant Is Wilting Too little water: Landscaping expert Ward Dilmore cites watering issues for wilting basil plants. Underwatering can cause wilt, but watering too often can, too. Too much water: When basil is grown in larger pots, some gardeners tend to overwater. In doing so, Dilmore says wilting, root rot, and leaf spot can occur. Intense heat: Horticulturist Samuel Davis also notes that intense summer heat and highly fluctuating moisture levels can wear down a basil plant. Bolting: They can also start to wilt if they've bolted, meaning they're going to seed and will slowly stop producing tasty leaves. Want more gardening tips? Sign up for our free gardening newsletter for our best-growing tips, troubleshooting hacks, and more! 5 Ways to Revive Basil Plants A wilting basil plant can make a comeback. Here's what the experts say you should do to get this fragrant herb back on track. Nail Down Your Watering Schedule Dilmore says that your basil's soil should be slightly moist and not oversaturated. Usually, watering every two to three days is enough for these plants. If the temperatures get hotter and the soil dries out faster, you can bump up the frequency. Water Early in the Morning Basil tends to wilt in the summer because of the temperature change, which affects the moisture of its soil. Hotter days mean water will evaporate more quickly. To buffer this, Davis says to water your basil plants early in the morning so the soil stays moist for longer. You can water more if the soil fully dries out by the end of the day. Amend the Soil The right soil is necessary for successful basil growth. If you chose a random bag from the store, it might be time to switch. Davis says the herb requires soil that's well-draining and rich in organic matter. This helps retain nutrients and keep moisture locked in—but not for too long, which can lead to root rot. Give Your Basil a Little Shade Although basil plants love bright sunlight, they may need a little shade now and then. If your garden is located in a zone that gets extremely hot temperatures during the summer, Davis says that during the hottest part of the day, it's smart to cover it with shade cloths or move it into a covered area. Bring Out the Mulch Another way to help a wilty basil plant is through mulch. This will help retain moisture and keep the soil temperature more consistent. Davis says to spread a layer of mulch around the base of the plants for best results. 4 Additional Tips to Grow Beautiful Basil If you'd like to keep your basil plant healthy and happy for the rest of the summer and beyond, here are a few other care tips: Pinch the top leaves:Pruning is extremely important for growing a bushy and healthy basil plant. If you let it grow too tall and flower, it will no longer produce loads of leaves or become voluminous. To avoid this, pinch the top leaves and prevent them from growing taller than 8 inches. Fertilize your plants: Fertilizers can be instrumental in helping your basil plants thrive. Davis says to choose balanced, organic fertilizers, which will provide ample nutrients and encourage more leaves. Use deep, large pots: If you're creating a container garden of basil, you'll want to ensure the pots are deep enough and big enough to prevent overcrowding. Pick sick leaves and prevent pests: Basil is susceptible to a few different diseases and pests. Keep a watchful eye and pick off any leaves that are completely shriveled or covered with disease. To deter pests like aphids and slugs, you can create a solution with dish soap and water to coat your plant as an armor of sorts.

Whether you’re growing them indoors for their tropical foliage or outdoors to harvest the delicious fruits, banana plants are wonderfully rewarding additions to any tropical garden. Gardening expert Madison Moulton discusses her first-hand tips for reaping the most from your banana plants. There are few gardening experiences that beat tasting home-grown fruit. The flavors are so much richer and sweeter than grocery store produce, made even more delicious by the effort you put in to grow them. Of all the fruits I’ve grown over the years, from lemons to litchis, one of the most rewarding has been bananas. This common fruit doesn’t excite many gardeners, but the boost in flavor and the amount you get to harvest each year makes growing them worthwhile. If you live in a tropical climate, banana plants are the perfect first fruit to try growing on your own. The tropical leaves also make attractive houseplants if you’re happy to sacrifice the harvesting aspect of growth. Successful banana growing isn’t difficult, but does require some essential knowledge of the plant and its structure. Follow this guide to find out everything you need to know. What Is It? The banana plant, part of the Musa genus, is an often misunderstood member of the plant kingdom. Despite its tree-like appearance, it’s actually classified as an herbaceous plant (and the biggest herb you can grow) with a pseudostem rather than a trunk. What’s even more fascinating is the fruit itself. The banana fruit is technically a berry and grows in clusters called hands, while individual bananas are referred to as fingers. Banana plants are an essential agricultural commodity in tropical and subtropical regions. But it’s not just the fruit that’s valuable. Other parts of the plant (particularly the leaves) are utilized in various dishes, making the banana plant a wonderfully versatile plant to grow in your garden. Their ability to thrive in a range of conditions and adaptability make bananas a great choice for gardeners in warmer climates. History Originally domesticated in Southeast Asia, banana plants are believed to have been cultivated as early as 8,000 BCE. Banana cultivation spread via trade routes early on, when Arab traders played a crucial role in introducing bananas to the Middle East. From there, the fruit found its way to Europe. It wasn’t until the late 19th century that bananas became a common fruit on the market. Modern transportation and refrigeration created space for the export of bananas from tropical regions to colder climates, turning what was once a unique luxury into an everyday staple. Historically, different banana varieties have been cultivated for different purposes. The bananas we commonly consume today come from cultivars and hybrids of Musa acuminata and Musa balbisiana species, or Musa × paradisiaca – a cross between the two. Characteristics Banana plants have a rather unique botanical structure and provide plenty of aesthetic value in tropical gardens. The stems, technically called pseudostems, are not woody as you would expect from its tree-like shape. Instead, they are made of a soft core surrounded by leaf sheaths, giving them the appearance of a tree without the same technical structure. These pseudostems can reach up to 20 feet in height, sporting long, glossy green leaves that also reach several feet in length. The leaves have stunning tropical flair, with an arching shape that instantly turns your backyard (or home) into a holiday paradise. Now to the important part – the fruits. Bananas develop in clusters known as hands that are larger than you might expect. Charmingly referred to as fingers, individual bananas grow without seeds in most commercial varieties. The fruit’s skin color varies throughout the season, changing from green when unripe to classic yellow when ready to eat. The fruits also vary in texture, depending on the variety you’re growing. Varieties While most people are familiar with the standard yellow Cavendish banana – the type most often sold in grocery stores – growing your own opens a new world of opportunities. There are so many types to choose from, allowing you to grow something more unique you wouldn’t be able to find in a standard store. Even if you’re not a massive banana fan, exploring these different varieties is sure to boost your appreciation of these useful plants. Planting The best time to plant is late spring or early summer once the soil has warmed sufficiently, creating the ideal conditions for fast root growth. Replicating the native environments of the banana plant is key to growing success, starting with the right location. Choose a spot in full sun if you want as many fruits as possible. The soil should also be well-draining and away from areas where rain collects, as waterlogged conditions can quickly lead to root rot in rainy seasons. Banana plants are also sensitive to high winds, which can tear their leaves, especially soon after planting, while they try to establish strong roots. Plant near a windbreak or provide some protection to preserve the plant’s appearance and health later on. When selecting a plant at the nursery, look for ones with small, spear-shaped leaves that indicate healthy young growth. Look at the roots if you can, and choose plants with plump, healthy growth rather than long and stringy roots. Plants should be spaced approximately 8 feet apart to allow room for growth without overcrowding. Dwarf varieties can be planted slightly closer together if needed, but it’s far better to give your bananas more room to grow than less. After planting, water thoroughly to settle the roots.