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Herbaceous PerennialHerbs - Culinary

Mentha × piperita f. citrata 'Chocolate'

chocolate peppermint

Vigorous, spreading perennial to 50cm tall, with minty-chocolate scented, dark-green leaves, tinged reddish-purple in sun or copper-red in shade, and bearing dense terminal spikes of tiny pinkish-purple flowers, in late summer

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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Poorly–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Red Purple
Summer Pink Purple Green Red Purple
Autumn Green Red Purple
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Lamiaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Suckering
Genus

Mentha are aromatic, rhizomatous perennials with opposite, toothed leaves and small tubular flowers in spikes of whorls in summer

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in any moist soil in sun or shade, May have the potential to become a nuisance; restrict root run or grow in a container. See mint cultivation for further information

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring or autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Wildlife gardens
Pruning

Cut back after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to sage leafhopper and caterpillars

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews and mint rust

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