Mint dies suddenly

6 years ago

Hello,

I live in Houston Texas. I'm a gardening newbie but I've been growing mint in a hanging pot for almost two years.

Recently, the mint suddenly died. The soil around it appeared really dry despite watering it a few days prior and the leaves were almost black. The entire plant died within a matter of a day or two.

I lifted the plant out of the pot to examine the roots and they appeared healthy. However, I noticed a cluster of ants with eggs at the bottom of the pot. The ants have now taken over the whole pot.

I've read a few forums stating ants do not kill plants but the events are so closely linked, I'm not convinced. Can anyone offer some insight?

Many thanks,

Megan

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
6 years ago
With the little info provided, the most likely culprits would be an herbicide or some mechanical damage. Ants didn't kill it in two days. In a container a large enough ant's nest may (note the stress on "may") affect the roots, but you said the roots were fine.

tj
Megan Easely thanked tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
kimmq
6 years ago
Unless a plant is sprayed with a plant poison it will not die suddenly, there will be signs and symptoms for a fairly long time before that plant succumbs. If the potting medium was that dry it most likely was that lack of moisture that caused the death of that mint. The ants had nothing to do with the plant dying except maybe, possibly, increasing the rate of drainage of the potting medium.

kimmq is kimmsr
Megan Easely thanked kimmq
Related Discussions
One half a cherry tree just dies rather suddenly.
Q
Comments (2)
If you cut the limb off, you will see a very distinct area of brown discoloring on the inside if it is canker. I just lost a 5 year old cherry to canker - when I cut it down, the was an almost perfect brown circle in the center of the stump.
...See More
Shasta Daisy suddenly died?
Q
Comments (9)
I went out to give a gentle tug on what's left of the plant, and it essentially wasn't attached to the ground. I mean, it pulled up with less than 1 lb of force. There's one little pair of green leaves down at the bottom, so I left those just in case. Clearly, something got to the roots of the plant. I'm curious why only this plant is affected - it's right next to another Shasta, and in the same bed as a wide variety of things. Oh well. Chalk it up to nature, I guess. Jeff J
...See More
My cherry tree died suddenly.
Q
Comments (7)
As a commercial cherry grower. We expect to lose trees. Every year we lose some trees. We have young trees that look great in the fall, then the following spring they will push out and then die. Often can't tell why. We just to joke that all you had to do was look at a cherry tree the wrong way and it would die
...See More
Contractor died suddenly
Q
Comments (66)
@shead - bry911, that’s uncalled for and unfair. I don’t see this poster as being a troll. They have a justifiable right to be angry. They have, in essence, been robbed. With, respect I don't think it was uncalled for or unfair. Aside from the poster's increasingly confrontational tone and name calling, the general escalation of facts and drama is textbook trolling. A simple question is asked or statement offered and then respondents are kited along with more and more drama until a simple question or position becomes a long drawn out dramatic series of posts that are increasingly emotional. This poster is a troll, it may not even be through a conscious effort, but there is no doubt that this series of posts meets every requirement for trolling. I have not been in any way confrontational and yet have been a target of escalating hostility for trying to help. How else would you describe the escalation other than trolling? Please keep in mind that trolling is a behavior and not an intent. ETA: This refers to a meme I posted about trolling... The meme basically says trolls want to upset other people because they are upset.
...See More
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
6 years ago
when a plant dies.. and when it looks dead ... can be a long period apart ... especially in the cool season ... then all of a sudden .. the temps come up.. and the plant dries up ...

growing perennials in hanging pots... can be very challenging .. one might suggest you 'won' .. getting it to live two seasons ... rather than being bummed ...

when you tipped it out.. how much of the media did the roots fill ... if they looked good.. only on the edge of the pot... they could have been all dead in the center ... i might suspect media failure which lead to water management problems ... long before the ants .... cut open the gob.. and analyze the inside ...

ken
Megan Easely thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
Jessica Locheed
13 days ago
My mint died overnight. Certainly no chemicals and the basil next to it is fine. The weird potential culprit is my cat who occasionally uses this planter box as a litter box.

Related Stories

LIFE When You're Suddenly Solo at Home

By Houzz

Whether you stay in a home alone or move on, these strategies from professional organizers can help you with the process

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES Herb Garden Essentials: Grow Your Own Delicious Mint

By Marianne Lipanovich

Pull out a pot for this one. Mint's spreading habit and hard-to-kill nature can be a blessing — if you're properly prepared

Full Story

ARCHITECTURE Trailblazing Architect Zaha Hadid Dies at 65

By Mitchell Parker

In 2004, Hadid became the first woman to win architecture’s highest honor, the Pritzker Prize

Full Story

104

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Glam Central Home Office

By Lemonade Makin' Mama

A little bling, a few ruffles and suddenly that workspace is fit for a luxury-loving femme

Full Story

BATHROOM COLOR 8 Ways to Spruce Up an Older Bathroom (Without Remodeling)

By Liz Miller Interiors

Mint tiles got you feeling blue? Don’t demolish — distract the eye by updating small details

Full Story

230

HISTORIC HOMES Wright Sized in Alabama: The Rosenbaum House

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

Get lessons in Usonian living from the design and evolution of a historic Frank Lloyd Wright home

Full Story

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Minty Goodness for Every Room

By Decor Adventures

Bring spring-fresh flavor to your home with pale green furniture, storage, accessories and wall coverings

Full Story

HOME TECH 7 Ways to Charge Up and Connect After Disaster

By Mike Elgan

Products and tips for communicating and keeping essential items running till the power's back on

Full Story

LIFE 10 Ways to Cope With Grief During the Holidays

By Shelly Miller Leer

If you are experiencing loss, take it from an experienced griever — life has changed forever, but it does get better

Full Story

241

LIFE 10 Ways to Work Through Grief Triggers During the Holidays

By Shelly Miller Leer

A year after losing her sister, she was facing another holiday. Here’s how one woman learned to find joy again

Full Story

159

Mint dies suddenly

Comments (4)

tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱

kimmq

Related Discussions

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

Jessica Locheed

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US