Chocolate Mint
Helianthus annuus
Flowers measure 4-6" across and are a rich brown on the tops of the petals and a lovely, striped yellow on the undersides. Great in bouquets and garden borders. Stem length is 10-24". Bears pollen; good for bee forage.
Harvest
65-75d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Height
1-10 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Chocolate Mint in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 herb →Zone Map
Click a state to update dates
Chocolate Mint · Zones 2–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | April – May | June – July | — | July – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | June – July | — | July – October |
| Zone 5 | March – April | May – June | — | June – October |
| Zone 6 | March – April | May – June | — | June – November |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – June | — | June – November |
| Zone 8 | February – March | April – May | — | May – December |
| Zone 9 | January – February | March – April | — | April – December |
| Zone 10 | January – January | February – April | — | April – December |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Drainage: Good Drainage. Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
Seeds are ovoid and somewhat flattened
Color: Black, Brown/Copper. Type: Achene. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.
Garden value: Edible
Harvest time: Fall
Bloom time: Fall, Summer
Edibility: Seeds are used for cooking oil, livestock feed, and as a snack food or garnish. Petals are edible and young flower buds can be steamed like artichokes.
Storage & Preservation
Fresh chocolate mint leaves store best in the refrigerator wrapped loosely in damp paper towels inside a plastic bag, maintaining quality for 7-10 days. Alternatively, treat cut stems like fresh flowers, placing them in a glass of water and covering loosely with a plastic bag.
For drying, harvest entire stems in mid-morning and hang in small bundles in a warm, dark, well-ventilated area. Properly dried chocolate mint retains its chocolate notes for 6-8 months when stored in airtight containers away from light.
Freezing preserves the fresh flavor exceptionally well – wash and dry leaves thoroughly, then freeze on baking sheets before transferring to freezer bags. Frozen leaves work perfectly in teas and cooked dishes but lose their texture for fresh garnishes. You can also freeze leaves in ice cubes with water or simple syrup for instant chocolate mint additions to beverages.
History & Origin
Origin: Western United States
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Deer, Drought, Dry Soil, Poor Soil
- +Attracts: Butterflies, Pollinators, Songbirds, Specialized Bees
- +Edible: Seeds are used for cooking oil, livestock feed, and as a snack food or garnish. Petals are edible and young flower buds can be steamed like artichokes.
- +Fast-growing
- +Low maintenance
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Tomatoes
Mint repels ants, rodents, and flea beetles that commonly affect tomatoes
Cabbage
Deters cabbage moths, aphids, and flea beetles from brassicas
Carrots
Improves soil health and repels carrot flies and aphids
Broccoli
Repels cabbage worms, aphids, and ants that damage brassicas
Radishes
Mint deters flea beetles and root maggots that attack radishes
Lettuce
Provides natural pest control against slugs, ants, and aphids
Peas
Repels aphids and ants while benefiting from nitrogen fixed by peas
Marigolds
Both plants repel similar pests and create strong aromatic barrier
Keep Apart
Parsley
Mint's aggressive growth can overwhelm and compete with parsley for nutrients
Chamomile
Mint's invasive nature can crowd out delicate chamomile plants
Cilantro
Chocolate mint can inhibit cilantro's growth and alter its delicate flavor profile
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #173474)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Generally disease resistant, typical mint hardiness
Common Pests
Aphids, spider mites, mint flea beetles
Diseases
Mint rust, powdery mildew