Plant of the Month, May: Chocolate Mint – Guilt-Free Indulgence!

May 15, 2026

May is here, gardening season is in full swing - and I've picked a very special highlight for you. My plant of the month combines the best of two worlds: fresh mint and the irresistible aroma of dark chocolate.

You can currently get this fragrant wonder from me on sale for only €4.80 in a 9cm pot!

A Marvel of Nature: Smells like a Bar of Chocolate

If you love the scent and taste of the famous peppermint chocolate squares, you will adore this plant. Chocolate mint is a fascinating marvel of nature: it looks like mint, it grows like mint, but if you stroke its leaves, you are immediately enveloped by the warm, sweet aroma of dark chocolate paired with fresh mint.

The Brain Trick: The crazy thing about it? Chocolate mint naturally doesn't contain a single gram of real cocoa. The astonishing chocolate scent comes from a very special, complex composition of its essential oils. This combination of scent molecules docks to our olfactory receptors and immediately signals the learned pattern to the brain: "Aha, After Eight!".

History & Origin: A brilliant English "Bastard"

Did you know that peppermint, from which my chocolate mint was bred, is actually a "bastard"? At the end of the 17th century, wild water mint and spearmint randomly crossed in England. The result was intensely fragrant peppermint! Due to its great healing properties, it then embarked on an unprecedented triumphal march through the pharmacies and gardens of Europe.

Mints are found almost everywhere in the world today, as they cross very strongly with each other in the wild. My chocolate mint is a very special selection (cultivar) of real English peppermint, which gardeners have selected over many generations specifically for this unique, soft chocolate aroma.

Usage at the Origin: Very British!

In 17th and 18th century England, peppermint was not only celebrated as a miracle cure for stomach ailments, but quickly conquered kitchens. The British used it in its place of origin for fresh, brewed teas and made heavy meat dishes more digestible with mint sauces. It was precisely from this English tradition of combining the fresh herb with various flavors that the ingenious and world-famous idea of merging mint with dark chocolate later emerged.

Mystical: The Goddess's Revenge and a Magnet for Wealth

Mints are surrounded by a millennia-old magic. In Greek mythology, the underworld god Hades fell in love with the beautiful nymph Minthe. His wife Persephone was consumed with jealousy and, as punishment, transformed Minthe into a lowly plant. Hades could not undo the spell, but he bestowed upon her a magnificent, intense fragrance. Every time someone steps on her now, she exudes her aroma and recalls the beautiful nymph.

But mint also had a firm place in later popular belief: In the Middle Ages, it was firmly believed that its strong scent drove away evil spirits. In addition, mint was considered a good luck charm - whoever placed a magnificent mint pot in their house was said to attract wealth and prosperity. If that's not a reason for a few pots on the balcony!

Growth & Appearance: An Eye-Catcher in the Bed and Pot

Chocolate mint (Mentha x piperita) is not only an experience for the nose, but also for the eye:

Habit: It grows bushy and strong, reaching a height of 40 to 60 cm.
Appearance: A real highlight are the dark red to deep brown stems, which form a great contrast to the dark green, slightly brownish-tinged leaves.
Flower: Pretty, delicate pink to light violet flower spikes appear from July to September.
Winter hardy: As a perennial, it is absolutely winter hardy and reliably sprouts again every year.

Scope of delivery: I deliver the plant to you in a 9cm pot, strong grown and ready for your garden or balcony!

Modern Use: A Dream for Sweet Tooths & Insects

In modern cuisine, chocolate mint is an absolute all-rounder. Although it contains plenty of essential oils (like menthol), its taste is significantly milder and softer compared to classic peppermint. This makes it particularly stomach-friendly and digestible.

In the kitchen: Perfect for fresh summer iced tea, cocktails, flavoring water, or finely chopped on desserts, ice cream, and strawberries.
For the insect world: If you let the plant bloom, it will become an absolute magnet for bees, bumblebees, and butterflies in late summer.

Location & Care: How it feels at home

Chocolate mint is easy to care for, but it has a small "quirk" you should know about:

Location: Prefers sunny to semi-shady. The more sun it gets, the more intense the chocolate aroma!
Soil: It loves humus-rich, nutrient-rich soil and likes to be kept slightly moist.
Pruning: Harvesting is the best care! If you radically prune it regularly, it will always sprout fresh and tender again.

⚠️ THE IMPORTANT WARNING (The Urge to Conquer!):

Mints are merciless! They form strong, underground runners and can take over your entire flower bed in a very short time.

My tip: It's best to plant mint in a large pot or container. If you want to put it outdoors, definitely use a deep, closed root barrier (e.g., a large bucket without a bottom). This way, the chocolate joy stays where it belongs!

Recipe Tip: Refreshing "After Eight" Iced Tea

Try it right away! If you need to cool down in mid-summer, this iced tea is unbeatable:

What you need:

2 large handfuls of fresh chocolate mint leaves
1 liter of water
Juice of half a lemon or lime
Optional: Honey or agave syrup for sweetening
Plenty of ice cubes

It's that easy:

Awaken the aroma: Lightly bruise the leaves in your hands to release the essential oils.
Pour: Pour 1 liter of boiling water over them and let steep covered for about 10 minutes.
Cool: Remove leaves, sweeten to taste, and stir in lemon juice.
Serve: Pour ice cold from the refrigerator over plenty of ice cubes and decorate with a fresh sprig. Cheers!