Herb Mint Chocolate (also known as Chocolate Mint or Mentha x piperita f. Citrata ‘Chocolate’) is a cultivar of Peppermint, which is a hybrid of Mentha x aquatica and Mentha x spicata. It is native to Europe and the Middle East. It has an upright habit 12-24 inches tall and is an aggresively spreading groundcover, via rhizomes. Mint Chocolate has lavender flowers that bloom from June-August and it is hardy in zone 5-9. It does well in full sun to part shade and is commonly used in containers or as groundcover. This plant is a variety of f. Citrata and has a flavor similar to that of Herb Mint Orange, but offers a pleasant chocolate aroma in the herb garden. It is commonly used in culinary applications. For a similar variety that is hardier, try Herb Mint Orange, or for a more classic peppermint flavor, grow Herb Mint Peppermint.
Sell Mint Chocolate to your customers who are looking for a unique flavor additon to their herb garden, or a low-maintenance, easily spreading groundcover. With little more than regular water, Chocolate Mint offers many culinary and landscape benefits. It grows well in full sun to partial shade and will spread indefinitely in zone 5-9. It blooms with lavendar flowers from June to August and makes a fragrant, useful, and aggressive groundcover. Plant Mint Chocolate in spots where it’s difficult to grow groundcover, and with regular water, it will grow and spread easily. It also makes a great container herb on the patio for easy culinary access. It’s citrus mint flavor and chocolate aroma are a delight to the senses. Offer Herb Mint Mojito as a milder mint, and Herb Mint Spearmint for an additional herb garden variety.
Coach Your Customer
1. Plant 18-24 inches apart in well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Use one plant per 2 gallon or larger container. Mint will spread indefinitely underground, and this variety is particularly aggressive in its spread. To prevent spreading, grow in containers; or mitigate spread by planting in a container and then putting that container in the ground.
2. Water regularly. Give a light fertilizer once in spring.
3. Mint foliage offers the best fragrance and flavor prior to the plant blooming. Dry or freeze leaves to preserve them for later use.
General Growing Tips For Your Rooted Cutting Liner
For best results with Mint Chocolate, use a constant feed program of 150-200 ppm N on well rooted plants. A pH between 5.8 and 6.2 is important for the healthiest plant color. In most cases, an additional supplement of iron is recommended in order to deepen the coloration of the foliage.
Pinching
We recommend that you pinch Mint Chocolate 5-10 days after transplanting to your final container. Growing herbs at cooler temperatures will help to keep the plants short and bushy.
Spacing
Space 4-inch, 6-inch, and gallon pots as needed to allow air flow and penetration of light between plants. Mint Chocolate can grow to a 24" spread. We do not recommend planting them in 1801 or other traditional market trays as they tend to get leggy and have the potential for fungus problems when planted too close together.
Height Control
Plant growth regulators are not recommended on herbs.
Pests
Whiteflies, aphids, and occasionally mealybugs are all insects to watch out for with Mint Chocolate.
Disease
Mint Chocolate is not prone to many diseases, but don't oversaturate the soil. If the plant sits in moist soil for an extended amount of time, you could end up with root rot, botrytis or a bacterial blight. Botrytis grey rot is usually associated with wet or humid conditions. You can prevent botrytis by allowing the plant to dry out between waterings, allowing for good airflow in your greenhouse, and spacing to allow the sun to penetrate to the soil level. To best fight root rot in herbs, look for an organic or garden-safe fungicide, like Neem Oil.
Planting Mint Chocolate Liners
If you are planting 4" pots, 1 plant per pot should be sufficient. We recommend at least 3 starters per pot for 6" and larger. Use a well-drained soil in your baskets and plant your starter plants deep, allowing the ellepot to be completely covered by the soil. Plant it directly in the middle of your pot.
Pinching is recommended 5-10 days after transplantation of rooted cuttings. A second pinch may be necessary depending on the size and shape of the final pot.
Rooted Cuttings
Cuttings vary in size between different plant families. These rooted starter plants will arrive ready to be transplanted in to your final container. If they are to be used in a landscape application, you will need to establish them in a 4 inch pot or an 1801 before planting outside.
Herb Mint Chocolate Quick Reference Guide
4 Inch crop time
6 Weeks
10 Inch crop time
10 Weeks
Habit
Mounding, Trailing
Height
6 inches
Light
Full Sun
Minimum Temp
50
Perennial Zone
Zones 4-10
Water Needs
Moderate
Patented Plant
No
Current Availability
Current Availability
12-11-2023 (Week 50)
100
12-18-2023 (Week 51)
0
12-25-2023 (Week 52)
0
01-01-2024 (Week 01)
0
01-08-2024 (Week 02)
0
01-15-2024 (Week 03)
2,700
01-22-2024 (Week 04)
14,300
01-29-2024 (Week 05)
15,800
02-05-2024 (Week 06)
14,700
02-12-2024 (Week 07)
14,800
02-19-2024 (Week 08)
11,865
02-26-2024 (Week 09)
16,200
03-04-2024 (Week 10)
14,200
03-11-2024 (Week 11)
13,500
03-18-2024 (Week 12)
14,565
03-25-2024 (Week 13)
11,800
04-01-2024 (Week 14)
15,200
04-08-2024 (Week 15)
12,500
04-15-2024 (Week 16)
8,600
04-22-2024 (Week 17)
14,700
04-29-2024 (Week 18)
18,300
05-06-2024 (Week 19)
16,900
05-13-2024 (Week 20)
19,500
05-20-2024 (Week 21)
2,600
05-27-2024 (Week 22)
2,800
06-03-2024 (Week 23)
2,700
06-10-2024 (Week 24)
2,800
06-17-2024 (Week 25)
2,800
06-24-2024 (Week 26)
3,200
07-01-2024 (Week 27)
3,200
07-08-2024 (Week 28)
2,800
07-15-2024 (Week 29)
2,800
07-22-2024 (Week 30)
2,800
07-29-2024 (Week 31)
0
08-05-2024 (Week 32)
0
08-12-2024 (Week 33)
0
08-19-2024 (Week 34)
0
08-26-2024 (Week 35)
0
09-02-2024 (Week 36)
0
Herb Mint Chocolate (also known as Chocolate Mint or Mentha x piperita f. Citrata ‘Chocolate’) is a cultivar of Peppermint, which is a hybrid of Mentha x aquatica and Mentha x spicata. It is native to Europe and the Middle East. It has an upright habit 12-24 inches tall and is an aggresively spreading groundcover, via rhizomes. Mint Chocolate has lavender flowers that bloom from June-August and it is hardy in zone 5-9. It does well in full sun to part shade and is commonly used in containers or as groundcover. This plant is a variety of f. Citrata and has a flavor similar to that of Herb Mint Orange, but offers a pleasant chocolate aroma in the herb garden. It is commonly used in culinary applications. For a similar variety that is hardier, try Herb Mint Orange, or for a more classic peppermint flavor, grow Herb Mint Peppermint.
Sell Mint Chocolate to your customers who are looking for a unique flavor additon to their herb garden, or a low-maintenance, easily spreading groundcover. With little more than regular water, Chocolate Mint offers many culinary and landscape benefits. It grows well in full sun to partial shade and will spread indefinitely in zone 5-9. It blooms with lavendar flowers from June to August and makes a fragrant, useful, and aggressive groundcover. Plant Mint Chocolate in spots where it’s difficult to grow groundcover, and with regular water, it will grow and spread easily. It also makes a great container herb on the patio for easy culinary access. It’s citrus mint flavor and chocolate aroma are a delight to the senses. Offer Herb Mint Mojito as a milder mint, and Herb Mint Spearmint for an additional herb garden variety.
Coach Your Customer
1. Plant 18-24 inches apart in well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Use one plant per 2 gallon or larger container. Mint will spread indefinitely underground, and this variety is particularly aggressive in its spread. To prevent spreading, grow in containers; or mitigate spread by planting in a container and then putting that container in the ground.
2. Water regularly. Give a light fertilizer once in spring.
3. Mint foliage offers the best fragrance and flavor prior to the plant blooming. Dry or freeze leaves to preserve them for later use.
General Growing Tips For Your Rooted Cutting Liner
For best results with Mint Chocolate, use a constant feed program of 150-200 ppm N on well rooted plants. A pH between 5.8 and 6.2 is important for the healthiest plant color. In most cases, an additional supplement of iron is recommended in order to deepen the coloration of the foliage.
Pinching
We recommend that you pinch Mint Chocolate 5-10 days after transplanting to your final container. Growing herbs at cooler temperatures will help to keep the plants short and bushy.
Spacing
Space 4-inch, 6-inch, and gallon pots as needed to allow air flow and penetration of light between plants. Mint Chocolate can grow to a 24" spread. We do not recommend planting them in 1801 or other traditional market trays as they tend to get leggy and have the potential for fungus problems when planted too close together.
Height Control
Plant growth regulators are not recommended on herbs.
Pests
Whiteflies, aphids, and occasionally mealybugs are all insects to watch out for with Mint Chocolate.
Disease
Mint Chocolate is not prone to many diseases, but don't oversaturate the soil. If the plant sits in moist soil for an extended amount of time, you could end up with root rot, botrytis or a bacterial blight. Botrytis grey rot is usually associated with wet or humid conditions. You can prevent botrytis by allowing the plant to dry out between waterings, allowing for good airflow in your greenhouse, and spacing to allow the sun to penetrate to the soil level. To best fight root rot in herbs, look for an organic or garden-safe fungicide, like Neem Oil.
Planting Mint Chocolate Liners
If you are planting 4" pots, 1 plant per pot should be sufficient. We recommend at least 3 starters per pot for 6" and larger. Use a well-drained soil in your baskets and plant your starter plants deep, allowing the ellepot to be completely covered by the soil. Plant it directly in the middle of your pot.
Pinching is recommended 5-10 days after transplantation of rooted cuttings. A second pinch may be necessary depending on the size and shape of the final pot.
Rooted Cuttings
Cuttings vary in size between different plant families. These rooted starter plants will arrive ready to be transplanted in to your final container. If they are to be used in a landscape application, you will need to establish them in a 4 inch pot or an 1801 before planting outside.
Herb Mint Chocolate Quick Reference Guide
4 Inch crop time
6 Weeks
10 Inch crop time
10 Weeks
Habit
Mounding, Trailing
Height
6 inches
Light
Full Sun
Minimum Temp
50
Perennial Zone
Zones 4-10
Water Needs
Moderate
Patented Plant
No
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