How to Care for a Chocolate Mint Plant
Shopping for mint plants is almost like a trip to the candy store, as mint is available in lemon, banana, spearmint, peppermint and chocolate. Like all mint plants, chocolate mint (Mentha piperata) is a rapid-growing herb that requires minimal care. Plant chocolate mint on your patio or in your herb garden and enjoy the enticing chocolate mint aroma every time you walk by. Snip a few leaves to sprinkle over fresh strawberries, or brew a cup of chocolate mint tea. Chocolate mint is hardy to U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones 3 to 9.
Plant chocolate mint in a container if you want to avoid problems caused by rampant growth, as mint tends to be invasive. Place the container on a porch or patio, or bury the planter in the ground to contain the roots. Otherwise, plant the chocolate mint in well-drained soil where it has plenty of room to spread without interfering with other plants. Place them in partial shade to full sunlight.
- Shopping for mint plants is almost like a trip to the candy store, as mint is available in lemon, banana, spearmint, peppermint and chocolate.
- Plant chocolate mint in a container if you want to avoid problems caused by rampant growth, as mint tends to be invasive.
Give chocolate mint plants 1 to 2 inches of water per week during spring and summer. Avoid watering excessively, as soggy soil can lead to diseases such as rot and mildew. Check the chocolate mint plant daily if the plant is grown in a container, as the soil will dry out quickly, especially during warm weather. Use a container with a hole in the bottom to ensure proper drainage.
Fertilize chocolate mint every spring, using a balanced granular fertilizer such as 10-10-10. Scatter 1 tsp. of the fertilizer around each plant.
- Give chocolate mint plants 1 to 2 inches of water per week during spring and summer.
- Check the chocolate mint plant daily if the plant is grown in a container, as the soil will dry out quickly, especially during warm weather.
Clip fresh chocolate mint leaves as often as desired. Trimming the plant will promote bushy, compact growth.
Tip
To dry chocolate mint plants, hang small bunches of the leafy stems upside down in a dry, well-ventilated spot. Store the dried chocolate mint leaves in an airtight container.
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Writer Bio
M.H. Dyer began her writing career as a staff writer at a community newspaper and is now a full-time commercial writer. She writes about a variety of topics, with a focus on sustainable, pesticide- and herbicide-free gardening. She is an Oregon State University Master Gardener and Master Naturalist and holds a Master of Fine Arts in creative nonfiction writing.
