Botanical profile

Mint chocolate

Latin name
Mentha × piperita f. citrata 'Chocolate'
Common name
Chocolate mint
Type
Perennial
Family
Lamiaceae

Chocolate mint is a perennial aromatic plant highly valued for its slightly purplish dark green foliage and its fresh scent reminiscent of peppermint with a sweet hint of chocolate. Its gourmet aroma makes it an original variety for herb gardens, edible containers, planters, and patio pots. Decorative, fragrant, and easy to harvest, it brings a fresh and surprising touch to gourmet arrangements.

Easy to grow, chocolate mint prefers a location in soft sun or partial shade, in fertile, cool, and well-drained soil. It appreciates regular watering to maintain tender, fragrant, and pleasant foliage. Like most mints, it can spread quickly in the ground, so it is recommended to grow it in pots or in a confined space to better control its growth. Frequent pruning encourages a denser plant and continuous production of new aromatic leaves.

Very versatile, chocolate mint is ideal for flavoring infusions, iced teas, lemonades, cocktails, hot chocolates, desserts, creams, sorbets, fruit salads, and sweet recipes. Its leaves are used fresh to add a minty, gourmet, and refreshing note to homemade preparations. It is an excellent plant for creating an original, productive, and easy-to-maintain aromatic garden, perfect for lovers of fragrant herbs and more creative flavors.

Care guide

Care level
Easy

Choosing this plant

Main benefit
Aromatic foliage with a chocolaty, minty scent, ideal for desserts and infusions
Container, vegetable garden, herbs, herbal tea, desserts, cold drinks
Container growing
Recommended for pot cultivation to control its spread
Seasonal care
Prune regularly to maintain a compact habit; grow in containers to control rhizomes; cut back in spring
Growing conditions

Light, soil, water and hardiness

Hardiness zone
Zone 4 and above
Exposure
Sun to partial shade
Watering
Regular; keep the soil moist without overwatering
Humidity
Average to high humidity; prefers cool soil
Fertilization
Light compost in spring; moderate fertilization in pots
Soil type
Fertile, fresh, humus-rich and well-drained soil
Soil pH
Slightly acidic to neutral
Minimum temperature
-30°C
Propagation method
Division, cuttings or runners
Plant appearance

Blooming, foliage and shape

Blooming period
Summer
Flower color
Pale mauve to pink
Foliage color
Dark green with a hint of purple
Foliage type
Obsolete
Shape
Bushy, spreading, and rhizomatous habit
Garden structure

Size and growth

Height
45 to 60 cm (18 to 24 inches)
Width
45 to 60 cm (18 to 24 inches)
Growth rate
Rapid growth
Vegetable garden and yield

Companion planting, spacing and harvest

Companion plants
Lemon balm, chives, parsley, marigolds
Spacing
45 to 60 cm (18 to 24 inches)
Harvest period
Spring to autumn leaves
Not recommended for pets
Not recommended for pets

Pets

Butterflies
Plants that attract butterflies

Butterflies

Repellent
Helps repel certain pests

Repellent

The availability of our plants varies depending on arrivals, seasons, nursery production and supplier availability. Some varieties may be offered for a limited time only, depending on their natural cycle or current stock. These plant profiles are designed to guide and inspire you when choosing plants for the garden, landscaping projects, containers or long-lasting outdoor arrangements.