chocolate mint

Chocolate mint should be regularly watered to keep the soil always slightly moist. During the summer, water the plant approximately once a week and during the winter, every 10-14 days should suffice. If the soil is sandy, you may need to water it more often. Be sure to water the soil and not the leaves of the plant. Overwatering can cause the leaves of the plant to droop and die, so make sure not to give the plant too much water.

Chocolate mint (Mentha piperita f. citrata 'Chocolate') is a hardy plant species that prefers at least 6 hours of sunlight per day in order to thrive. For best results, it should be kept in a spot with direct sun exposure for part of the day and some indirect light for the remainder. It is even tolerant of some light shade. Best growth occurs in areas with acidic soil and a pH balance between 6.5 and 7.0.

Chocolate mint (Mentha piperita f. citrata 'Chocolate') should be pruned every year in late summer or early fall, after the main growing season has ended. Pruning this species of mint will help rejuvenate the plant and encourage new growth the following season. To prune, cut off the tops of the stems with a pair of sharp garden shears. Pruning the stems to about 6 inches from the ground will encourage new shoots to develop next season. It is important not to remove more than 1-third of the stems in any 1 season. Pinching off any new flower buds that form can also help keep the plant in check and maintain compact growth.