This fragnant herb will infuse your garden with a minty chocolate aroma!
The chocolate mint plant is a close relative to peppermint and is a hybrid between watermint and spearmint. Chocolate mint is known for its amazing minty chocolate scent and sweet citrusy flavor. Its leaves are a beautiful shade of dark green, with brownish purple stems. The plant’s small lavender flowers which bloom in the summer will attract lots of pollinators to your garden! Chocolate mint is a fast and easy-to-grow plant, making it a great choice for beginner gardeners.
Keep in mind that chocolate mint plants can be toxic to your pets, so it’s a good idea to keep it out of their reach.
| Common name | chocolate mint |
| Botanical name | Mentha × piperita f. citrata |
| Plant type | perennial herb |
| Hardiness zones | 5-9 |
| Difficulty | easy |
| Planting time | spring, early summer |
| Sunlight | partial shade/full sun |
| Soil needs | well-draining, moist soil |
| Plant height | 30-60cm (2ft) |
| Bloom time | summer, fall |
| Flower color | lavender |
| Soil pH | 6.5-7 |
| Toxicity | may be toxic to dogs, cats, and horses |
In This Article
Propagation
Since chocolate mint is a sterile hybrid, it cannot be grown from seeds. The only way to grow it is by propagating from stem cuttings or a starter plant from your local nursery. But don’t worry, chocolate mint plants are very easy to propagate, it only takes a few steps:
- use a pair of sterile pruners or scissors to cut a large and healthy stem from the base of the plant right above a node
- remove the bottom leaves, leaving only a few pairs at the top of the stem
- keep the stems in a glass or jar of water and place it by a bright window. Change the water every few days
- Once many roots appear, transfer the stems into a pot of soil or in the garden
Tip
Remember if you don’t want the mint to spread, then plant it in a container. Chocolate mint can become invasive and spread throughout your whole garden. But if you want to plant it in the garden, you can place the whole container into the ground.
How to Care for Chocolate Mint
Soil
Chocolate mint plants are not heavy feeders, so a single dose of balanced fertilizer or compost in the springtime is enough. Mulching the soil to retain moisture is a good idea since the plant needs a lot of water and will start wilting if the soil gets too dry.
Water
As I mentioned above, chocolate mint loves moist soil, so water frequently, but not so much that the plant will be sitting in water. Check the moisture level of the soil by sticking your finger a few inches in, if your finger is dry then the plant needs to be watered. Containers will dry out even faster so they will need to be watered more frequently. Make sure the container you are using has drainage hole so that the plant won’t be sitting in water, otherwise the roots will rot.
Sunlight
Chocolate mint will thrive in partial shade but will tolerate full sun as long as you water it enough and prevent the soil from drying out.
Pruning/harvesting
You can prune your chocolate mint by pinching off the tips of growing stems. Regular pruning will make your plant grow bushier. Once your plant is at least 10cm tall (about 4-5 inches), you can start harvesting. The flavor of the mint is best early in the morning or before the plant blooms, which is around mid to late summer. Harvest your mint by cutting stems or picking individual leaves. Your harvest will depend on the size of your plant but do not harvest too much at once if your plant is still very small.
Overwintering
Chocolate mint is a very hardy plant, so above hardiness zones 3, it can be overwintered outside. Cover the soil with mulch, wood chips or cardboard to provide some insulation. The plant will seem like its dying, but don’t worry, it will come back on its own in the spring!
If you live in colder regions, the plant can be bought inside and kept in an unheated garage or next to a bright window. Water the soil if the surface dries up more than a few inches deep and when spring comes, you can bring the plant back outside.
Pests and diseases
Mint rust
Chocolate mint is generally an easy and problem-free plant. But a common disease that you might face is mint rust. This is a fungal disease caused by the fungus Puccunia menthae. This disease can be identified by orangish red spots on the underside of leaves. The leaves will eventually turn brown and if not taken care of the plant may die.
The best way to avoid mint rust is by watering your plants properly. Avoid getting the foliage wet and water directly on the soil. This will keep the leaves dry and minimize infections. You should also prune your mint plant regularly so that there is enough room for air circulation.
If your plant does get infected with mint rust, then the best treatment would be to cut down the infected parts and treat the plant with natural fungicides. Check out this link to learn more about mint rust.
Other pests
Aphids, spider mites, whitefly, and other pests might attack your plant if it is weak and unhealthy. These pests should be treated with natural pesticides such as neem oil spray or garlic spray.
Flowering Chocolate Mint
Chocolate mint has small lavender-colored flowers that bloom during the summer, attracting lots of pollinators. One of the reasons your mint is not blooming could be a lack of nutrients. Adding a balanced fertilizer to the soil may help. Another reason could be that your container is too small and the plant has become root-bound. Repot your mint into a larger container to allow the plant to grow healthy and flower.
Tip
If you are growing the mint for its leaves, then pinch off the flowers so that all the energy of the plant goes into growing more leaves.
Uses of Chocolate Mint
With its amazing minty-chocolate fragrance and flavor, chocolate mint is a versatile herb that lends itself nicely to both sweet and savory foods and beverages. The leaves can be chopped or left whole and added to desserts like brownies, cookies, chocolate cakes, milkshakes, and ice cream for a refreshing twist. Chocolate mint also enhances the flavor of creamy desserts like panna cottas or pots de crème. Additionally, it can be steeped in hot or iced tea and coffee.
The herb’s high antioxidant content also benefits DIY beauty formulas like face masks or body scrubs. It’s fragrance also works well for homemade potpourri, sachets for storage, or as an all-natural air freshener.
Did you know chocolate mint can also be used as a natural pesticide to repel ants, mosquitoes, and rats? Check out this article for more info.
Preserving Your Mint
Chocolate mint can be dried by hanging it upside down in a dry place. Dried chocolate mint will also preserve its flavor and scent and can be used to make teas.
The leaves can be frozen and stored in the freezer for later use. You can also put them into ice cubes and use them for drinks.
FAQ
What is the difference between chocolate mint and mint?
Chocolate mint leaves have a darker green color with serrated edges, whereas regular spearmint/peppermint leaves tend to be bright medium green with toothed edges. As its name suggests, chocolate mint gives off a distinct sweet chocolate fragrance when its leaves are crushed.
How long can chocolate mint live?
Under ideal conditions, chocolate mint can live up to 10 years! The plant is a hardy perennial, it dies out every winter and comes back to life in the spring. Chocolate mint can survive being overwintered outside in hardiness zones 3 and above.
Can chocolate mint be grown indoors?
Yes, it can be grown indoors by a sunny window, although the plant will grow best outdoors. Just keep the plant in a humid environment by occasionally misting.
How fast does chocolate mint grow?
Chocolate mint is a vigorous growing plant. It will grow very fast in ideal conditions and be ready for harvest in no time!
Does chocolate mint actually taste like chocolate?
Chocolate mint has a minty citrusy taste with a sweetness to it. It only has a slight chocolate taste. The plant is rather known for its chocolaty aroma.
