Peppermint and chocolate mint are closely related plants (Mentha piperita). The sterile 'Chocolate' cultivar has a chocolate scent and is created by crossing M. citrata (orange mint) with M. piperita.
The plant makes an eye-catching ground cover and reaches a height of around two feet. Compared to other varieties of mint, the rounded, lance-shaped leaves have a deeper green colour. Summertime brings lavender-coloured flower blooms.
Rhizomes allow this strong, quick-growing plant to spread swiftly. Plant chocolate mint in a pot rather than straight in the ground if you want to restrict it.
Caring For The Chocolate Mint Plant
Stem cuttings or nursery seedlings are used to plant chocolate mint. Rich, moist soil that is either neutral or slightly acidic is ideal for growing chocolate mint. Plant approximately two feet apart when all chance of frost has passed in the spring.
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Mint needs moist, rich, muddy soil, but growing herbs in less-than-rich soil tends to concentrate their essential oils, hence their aroma and flavour. Before planting, incorporate some organic matter. Mint is one of the few herbs used in cooking that can tolerate some shade. But if you give it enough moisture, you may grow it in full sun.
Since most mint grows aggressively, they will take up as much room as possible. Although the cultivar of chocolate mint does not spread as much as regular mint, you could still cultivate it in pots or with a barrier in the ground.
Alternatively, you can put the entire thing in the ground to stop the container's rhizomatous roots from spreading.
Light
Partial shade is preferred for chocolate mint plants. Almost any rich, moist soil will grow chocolate mints; you may plant them in full sun as long as you water them often. Sand and extreme dryness in the soil might be problematic, but if you water regularly, you can get beyond this. To maintain the soil's good drainage, use an annual top-dressing of organic matter.
Water
Chocolate mint does not do well in consistently soggy conditions; instead, it needs one to two inches of water each week (from irrigation and rain combined). When cultivating in a pot, make sure it drains properly and never allow the pot to dry out entirely.
Humidity And Temperature
This plant is tolerant of any climate; it is not picky. If cultivated indoors, it requires a lot of humidity because indoor environments are typically dry. Severe humidity can lead to the development of fungal infections.
Apply fertiliser
Due to its strong nature, chocolate mint only requires a single springtime application of balanced fertiliser.
Trimming
Shearing the plants regularly helps prevent them from taking over the garden. A maximum of one-third of the leaves should be removed during each trimming session. Prune or harvest at least three or four times throughout the growth season.
Shear back your blooming plants, and new fragile leaves will fill in. It indicates that not enough harvesting has been done to revitalise your plant if you see the stems growing longer and the leaves becoming smaller and smaller.
When the plants are pruned back by a third to a half, much larger leaves should reappear in the new foliage.
Typical Plant Diseases & Pests
Generally trouble-free, mint can occasionally suffer from rust, a fungal disease that appears as little orange dots on the undersides of leaves. In between waterings, use an organic fungicide and let the leaves dry. Make sure there is enough airflow and that the plants are not overcrowded.
Your chocolate mint plants could become vulnerable to pests like mealybugs, spider mites, aphids, and whiteflies if they experience stress. An effective treatment for these insects is citrus oil. Additionally, chocolate mint repels deer.
Harvesting Chocolate Mint
It's simple to harvest chocolate mint. The leaves of this herb are edible and can be pulled off at any time. Mint tastes best, so the saying goes, right before flowers bloom. Pinch or pluck just above a node where two new stems form when harvesting. This will promote a full plant with bushy growth.