Chocolate Mint
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Common names Chocolate Mint
Latin name Mentha x piperita
Life cycle Perennial
Height 2"
Space 1-1.5 ft apart
Bloom July and August
Light Full sun to part shade
Soil Rich, moist, well-drained
Zone --
Feature Deer resistant, rabbit resistant, attracts butterflies and bees
Use:
You can make a refreshing tea from dried or fresh leaves. Chocolate mint smells like a peppermint patty, although the tea made from the chocolate mint tastes like regular peppermint tea. Add fresh leaves to iced drinks, salads, chicken, and mild-flavored fish. Dried leaves are a good potpourri ingredient.


Culture:
The plant is not as invasive as peppermint, but it is a tough plant and can be harvested almost as soon as it comes up in the spring. Young, tender leaves and stems have more flavor than the older ones. To keep the roots from spreading, transplant the mint to a gallon pot or bottomless can at least 10" deep and bury the pot with the rim at least 1" above the soil surface. Divide and repot confined plants every 2 years to keep them vigorous.



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