Mint, Chocolate Mint Herb Bare Root

Chocolate Mint Herb Bare Root, Perennial, (mentha piperita citarta)

You will receive one 4" to 6" long stem with leaves and tender roots, wrapped in a damp paper towel, wrapped in plastic, along with a copy of these directions.

Chocolate Mint Herb iced tea with an orange slice is so good, hot tea with a pinch of cinnamon - Yum, baking cookies and breads to name a few common uses of Chocolate Mint Herb.  Lesser known ones include calming the digestion or relieving minor sinus discomfort with a strong concentration of peppermint oils.  As a general rule, mint family plants root vigorously when allowed to grow freely and can be invasive.  Grow them in containers to keep them in check.

Part Sun (in North Texas it does better in part sun or bright shade location during the hot months)

When your cutting arrives with roots you will plant it in good quality soil. A 4 or 5 inch container works well.  Poke a good size hole into the soil, place roots and a small portion of the stem into the hole, press soil down to fill hole.  Water it so the soil settles around the roots. Place the container on a sunny window sill.  Lightly water when you feel the soil is starting to dry out (usually 2 or 3 days has passed).  Keep soil "lightly" moist.  You can let the plant stay in the small container until you see new leaves and the roots are starting to show through the holes at the bottom of small container, then it will need to be transplanted into a larger container.  If you are wanting to plant it in your garden bed it will need to be harden off first. 

Harden Off:

Place the container that is showing new growth in the shade early morning time for about an hour. Then bring back inside and place back in sunny window until the next day. Next morning leave in shade for two hours, bring back inside. 3rd day place in early morning part sun for an hour, bring back inside. 4th day place in early morning part sun for two hours. 5th day three hours, 6th day five hours, 7th day leave in part shade all day. During this process the soil needs to stay slightly moist.

Your plant now can be planted in the garden in part shade.  It really does best getting morning sun and afternoon shade.  Here in North Texas I grow it in full bright light shade and in morning sun only, both areas work very well.

This plant also does well in hanging pots in part shade or full bright light shade. (Bright light shade, shaded by trees but not a dark area.)

Chocolate Mint Herb plant does not need much fertilizer, feed when they are 3-4 weeks old using half strength of a organic plant fertilizer.

Planting in the Garden:

• Select a location (out of the way or in a container due to rapid spread) in part shade with good rich, evenly moist soil. Consider that mints can be vigorous spreaders and may be best grown in containers or raised beds.

• Harvest leaves as needed. Right before flowering cut stems one inch from the ground. After cutting plants back you can get a second harvest the same season, usually.

• Fresh or dried, spearmint, peppermint, and apple mint leaves make a healthful and delicious tea. Add the fresh leaves and flowers to salads and desserts. Mint may be dried or frozen or preserved in vinegars. Mint is great for jams, jellies, herbal teas, added to hot chocolate, etc.

GransGardenSeeds.com