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We love chocolate plain or with almost anything. So it seems only normal
that we would search out those plants reminiscent of our beloved chocolate.
Below are some of our favorites. |
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Chocolate Mint Scented Geranium: One of our
24 Scented Geraniums, Chocolate Mint Scented
Geranium has a Peppermint Pattie aroma and a chocolate blotch that runs
through the center of the leaf. In zones 7 and under, Chocolate Mint Scented
Geranium can be grown as an annual in a large container. Planted from one of
our three inch starter plants, the plant in the container below, grew to be over three feet wide in just
three months. A container large enough to allow rapid growth and a high
quality, fertile potting soil are a must for obtaining optimum growth. If
you grow in a container, the plant should be checked each spring to see if
the root zone has filled the pot. If so, a new larger container is in order.
In zones 8 and up, this chocolaty marvel can be grown in the ground. While
it will take a rest in the winter by dying back to the ground, it emerges
again each spring a little bigger than before. You will definitely want one
or two of these near your doorway or path so they will release their
fragrance as you brush against them. |
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Chocolate Scented Daisy: Of all the chocolate plants,
this one smells the most like cocoa. A Southwestern native, Chocolate Scented
Daisy can be over wintered in zones 4 and up. It prefers a drier soil with
full sun. In humid summer climates, a container or a raised bed is a good
idea. In arid areas, it performs better when watered on a regular basis but
once established can take some drought. How much you water depends on the area it is
planted in. Chocolate Scented Daisy has a strong chocolate aroma in the
early morning but as the sun beats on it, the aroma dissipates. Fortunately,
it has lots of new flowers each day allowing your morning fix of heady
chocolate fragrance. |
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Chocolate Habanero: Although a
dark, milk chocolaty brown in color, this chili does not smell or taste like
chocolate, but it does have a bit of bitterness that might have contributed
to the chocolate moniker. What you should know about Chocolate Habanero is
how spicy it really is. Ranking about 400,000 Scoville units, it out-spices
its orange cousin by 300,000 units. Always wear gloves when working with
peppers that are this hot and start off cooking with a tiny bit. Taste as you cook
so you don't add an overwhelming amount. Chocolate Habanero has a smokiness
that lends itself well to dark rich sauces like mole. |
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Chocolate Mint: This variety of Peppermint has a pleasing after-dinner
mint aroma. Grown in the sun, its leaves become dark and flavorful. Like
most Peppermint varieties, Chocolate Mint has a bit of menthol in it, so we usually dry this
(which reduces the strength) before adding to a recipe. However, fresh leaves can be steeped in milk or melted butter and then strained out
for use in a variety of ways. Mints should always be grown in a container.
They are invasive and can get out of control when planted in the garden.
Plant your Chocolate Mint in a wide container like a window box or flower
bowl. It grows along the top of the soil, rooting as it goes. Mints usually
only last one season in a container before they
need to be divided. |
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For more fun with your chocolate plants be sure to visit our
Pinterest board. |
