Hydroponic Growing Kit

Mint Common Mint

Growing Guide

A complete step-by-step guide to help you grow fresh, flavorful cilantro at home with your ClearGro kit.

1

What's Included

Package contents & part names

Shown for part identification. The growing jar arrives pre-assembled.
  • 32 fl oz Mason Jar

    32 fl oz Mason Jar

  • Wick

    Wick

  • Net Pot

    Net Pot

  • Growing Plug

    Growing Plug

  • Band

    Band

  • Cork Sleeve

  • Seed Tube

    Seed Tube

  • Seed Spoon

    Seed Spoon

  • Indoor Plant Nutrient

    Indoor Plant Nutrient

2

Five Essentials

Before you start

  • Keep Roots Shaded

    Keep the cork sleeve on the jar to shield roots and nutrient solution from direct light.

  • Shake Before Use

    Shake ClearGro Indoor Plant Nutrient (3-2-5) before every use.

  • Measure by Stage

    Use 0.5 mL or 1 mL per 16 fl oz only at a complete refresh.

  • Keep Moderate Temperatures

    Aim for 60-75°F (16-24°C). Avoid temperatures below 60°F (16°C).

  • Provide Airflow

    Use ordinary indoor airflow and keep the plant away from heating or cooling vents.

3

Set Up Your Kit

Four simple steps

  1. 01

    Choose the Growing Location

    Use a grow light for 12-14 hours daily, followed by 10-12 hours of darkness. A room temperature around 60-75°F (16-24°C) supports steady leafy growth. Leave space above the jar so the light can be raised as the mint grows.
  2. 02

    Add Water and Nutrient

    Remove the band and net pot from the 32 fl oz mason jar. Add 2 cups (16 fl oz / about 475 mL) of room-temperature water. This is half-full in the jar and is the maximum fill level. Shake the ClearGro Indoor Plant Nutrient (3-2-5). Add 1/2 dropper (approximately 0.5 mL) to the 16 fl oz of water and mix thoroughly. Replace the net pot and band. At the 16 fl oz fill level, the net pot remains above the nutrient solution.
  3. 03

    Plant the Seeds

    Locate the five pre-formed planting holes on the growing plug. Use the seed spoon to place 1 mint seed in each hole—5 seeds total. Press each seed gently into its hole so it contacts the moist plug. Cover lightly; do not bury it deeply.
  4. 04

    Start the Light Schedule

    Begin the 12-14-hour light schedule immediately after sowing. Check the plug every few days. It should remain evenly moist, not flooded, slimy, or dry and hard. Check for sprouts from day 10 through day 14. If a hole is still empty on day 14, place 1 fresh seed in that hole without disturbing nearby seedlings.
  5. 05

    Day 14 Reseeding

    Use one fresh seed in each empty hole. Continue the same 0.5 mL nutrient rate, 16 fl oz maximum water level, moderate temperature, and light schedule.
4

Stage Guide

One-page care reference

  1. Germination

    Usually 10-14 days.

  2. Seedling

    From emergence until each seedling has 2-3 true leaves.

  3. Vegetative

    Vegetative growth accelerates after several leaves have formed.

  4. Harvest-Ready Growth

    Begin when several stems are well leafed and roughly 5-8 inches tall; use plant size rather than a fixed date.

  5. Harvest & Regrowth

    Side shoots continue growing below correctly placed harvest cuts.

Stage DetailsSee what you will see, water & nutrient, and light & key action for each stage.

Germination

Typical appearance
A tiny green shoot emerges while a pale root extends downward.
Typical timing
Usually 10-14 days.
Water
Begin at 16 fl oz. At about 8 fl oz, add plain water back to 16 fl oz.
Nutrient
Use 0.5 mL per 16 fl oz at setup. Do not add another dose during germination.
Light
Provide 12-14 hours under a grow light and 10-12 hours of darkness.
What to do
Keep temperatures moderate. Check from day 10 through day 14, then reseed empty holes.
Ready for next stage
The small cotyledons have opened and the first opposite true leaves are beginning to form.

Seedling

Typical appearance
The seedlings stand upright as the first opposite, oval-to-pointed, serrated leaves unfold.
Typical timing
From emergence until each seedling has 2-3 true leaves.
Water
At about 8 fl oz, add plain water to 16 fl oz. Never exceed 16 fl oz.
Nutrient
At complete refresh, use 0.5 mL per 16 fl oz. Refresh every 2-3 weeks. Between complete refreshes, add plain water only.
Light
Continue 12-14 hours. Rotate the jar one-quarter turn weekly.
What to do
Use clean scissors to retain the strongest single seedling. Snip extras at plug level; do not pull them.
Ready for next stage
The retained plant stands upright, has 2-3 pairs of true leaves, and shows pale roots entering the reservoir.

Vegetative

Typical appearance
Upright stems begin branching and carry increasing numbers of opposite, oval-to-pointed, serrated leaves.
Typical timing
Vegetative growth accelerates after several leaves have formed.
Water
Use the 8-to-16 fl oz routine. Check several times per week as the canopy expands.
Nutrient
At complete refresh, use 1 mL per 16 fl oz. Add plain water only between refreshes.
Light
Provide 12-14 hours of strong light. Raise the lamp before leaves touch it.
What to do
Keep 1 healthy plant. Once it has several leaf pairs, pinch the soft tips; encourage side branching.
Ready for next stage
The plant has several healthy branching stems, compact leaves, and no persistent yellowing or wilt.

Harvest-Ready Growth

Typical appearance
The compact canopy contains several leafy branch tips and healthy side shoots.
Typical timing
Begin when several stems are well leafed and roughly 5-8 inches tall; use plant size rather than a fixed date.
Water
Add plain water at about 8 fl oz. Check more often during warm weather or rapid growth.
Nutrient
At complete refresh, use 1 mL per 16 fl oz. Never add extra between refreshes.
Light
Keep the 12-14-hour light schedule. Bright light supports sturdy stems, deep green leaves, and compact growth.
What to do
Cut tips above a leaf pair, leaving two pairs per stem; remove no more than 1/3.
Ready for next stage
Several branch tips are large enough to cut while healthy leafy nodes remain below each planned cut.

Harvest & Regrowth

Typical appearance
Cut stem tips remain above leafy nodes where new side shoots can expand.
Typical timing
Side shoots continue growing below correctly placed harvest cuts.
Water
After harvest, add plain water to 16 fl oz if the jar is near 8 fl oz.
Nutrient
Continue the established-plant rate 1 mL per 16 fl oz—only at the next complete 2-3-week refresh.
Light
Maintain the regular light schedule so remaining leaves support regrowth.
What to do
Let side shoots grow several leaf pairs before recutting; remove buds to maintain leaf production.
Ready for next stage
Fresh side shoots are expanding below the cut points and the remaining foliage is healthy green.
Rules That Apply at Every StageLight, water, refresh, and more.
  • Light: 12-14 hours daily, followed by 10-12 hours of darkness.
  • Water: when the jar reaches about 8 fl oz, add plain water back to 16 fl oz.
  • Refresh: every 2-3 weeks; add the stage dose only at the complete refresh.
  • Between refreshes: add plain water only - no extra nutrient.
  • Keep the reservoir shaded with the cork sleeve and rotate the jar one-quarter turn weekly.
Harvest & RegrowHow and when to harvest, and how to keep plants growing.

Harvest & Regrowth

Cut stem tips remain above leafy nodes where new side shoots can expand. Side shoots continue growing below correctly placed harvest cuts. After harvest, add plain water to 16 fl oz if the jar is near 8 fl oz. Continue the established-plant rate 1 mL per 16 fl oz only at the next complete 2-3-week refresh. Maintain the regular light schedule so remaining leaves support regrowth. Let side shoots grow several leaf pairs before recutting; remove buds to maintain leaf production.

Regrow or RestartContinue your plant or start a new cycle.

Option A — Continue the Same Plant

Continue cutting stem tips just above leafy nodes while preserving at least two-thirds of the foliage. At the next complete refresh, use 1 mL per 16 fl oz. Replace the plant when growth becomes weak, stems become woody, or root health deteriorates.

Option B — Start a New Cycle

Discard the old plant, plug, and roots. Wash and rinse the jar, band, net pot and wick. Install a fresh plug and seeds, then return to “Set Up Your Kit”. Do not reuse the old plug.

TroubleshootingCommon issues and solutions.

No sprout by day 14

Confirm moderate temperature, 12-14 hours of light, and the 16 fl oz water level. Place one fresh seed in each empty hole.

Tall, weak seedlings

Increase usable light, move the lamp closer without touching leaves, rotate the jar weekly, and retain only the strongest single plant.

Yellow or pale leaves

Check light, roots, water level, and the stage-specific ClearGro 3-2-5 schedule. Do not add an unplanned nutrient dose.

White fuzz or mold on plug

Remove visible growth gently, improve airflow, and avoid pouring water onto the plug. Replace the plug if growth is widespread, smells sour, or seedlings decline.

Brown, slimy roots or odor

Discard badly damaged roots, wash the jar, replace the solution, keep the reservoir shaded by the sleeve, and ensure the level does not exceed 16 fl oz.

Green algae

Keep the cork sleeve on, block light from the reservoir, and clean the jar during the next solution refresh.

Long stems with wide gaps

Increase usable light, rotate the jar weekly, and pinch soft tips above leaf nodes to encourage compact branching.

New leaves remain small

Confirm strong usable light, healthy pale roots, correct spacing, and the stage-specific nutrient rate. Allow more growth between harvests.

Leaf edges look scorched

Increase the distance from the grow light and confirm the nutrient was measured correctly; do not add extra nutrient.

Simple Weekly CheckA quick checklist for healthy plants.
  • Light timer works and leaves do not touch the lamp.
  • Water stays between the 8 fl oz action point and the 16 fl oz maximum fill line.
  • Roots are pale and fresh-smelling, not brown, slimy, or foul-smelling.
  • One healthy, well-branched plant remains in the plug.
  • Nutrient is measured for the stage: 0.5 mL for germination/seedlings and 1 mL for vegetative or harvest-stage growth—each per 16 fl oz at complete refresh.
  • The cork sleeve remains on and flower buds are removed promptly.