Corsican Mint: Small Plant, Big Impact

It seems funny to give a plant with the tiniest foliage and a low-growing profile a lot of thought. But Corsican Mint is worth thinking about. It has the characteristics just noted—miniscule leaves, plus low and slow growth overall—but it makes a big impact on those who see it.

Folks who love miniature gardening, building fantastic displays to delight both young and old, don’t need to be reminded that tiny plants can pack a big punch. They use plants such as Corsican Mint as landscaping around some of the structures in their creations, putting it into place as full “lawns” in their mini displays.

But for those of us who garden on a larger scale, when we get to the greenhouse or garden center, a tiny ground cover might be overlooked, in every sense of the word. After all, it is hard to resist some of the mammoth plants that become available in springtime, often with large flowers and desirably full foliage. Still, we should remind ourselves how intriguing plants at the opposite end of the spectrum can be. Tiny plants beckon us to take a closer look. Granted, we may need our off-the-rack eyeglasses from the convenience store to see them well, but seeing them is an experience.

What is Corsican Mint?

So, what is Corsican Mint, or Mentha requienii? It is a vibrant green matting plant that makes a wonderful ground cover, small and decorative enough to give an effect like that of needlepoint—a lot of visual interest on a flat mat.

Now, “ground cover”…? It is amazing to think that a plant as small and delicate looking as Mentha requienii can handle foot traffic. But it will do just fine if it is stepped upon from time to time. Maybe the plant’s small scale permits its tiny leaves to bend and fold just right, so as not to get damaged underfoot. Somehow, it never looks worse for the wear, always appearing healthy and cushiony.

As Mentha requienii fills spaces and maintains its good looks, it also offers up a pleasant minty scent. To accompany the fragrance, miniscule flowers in a pale shade of lilac appear during summer.

What is the Requisite Care for Mentha Requienii?

Corsican Mint has relatively few care requirements, save for the fact that it likes steady moisture but will not tolerate soggy soil. Keep your Mentha requienii moist, and as long as its soil’s drainage is excellent, it should do well. 

Corsican Mint is a self-seeder that will typically return in spring, provided gardeners leave it alone without excessive trimming. Trim it once per summer to help it keep its shape, but then stop: There is no risk of having it take over, as some self-seeders might.

Now what about sunlight? The Mediterranean roots of Mentha requienii may prompt us to assume it does best in full sun. But I would suggest thinking of this plant in its native Corsica or Sardinia, growing between pale stepping stones that form a narrow pathway between ancient homes on both sides. Think of the way the sun would behave, bathing this ground cover in light for the greater part of the day but then fading behind the buildings at other times and, thus, giving the plants a little respite from the rays. This respite seems to be key to the healthy growth of Mentha requienii. 

Summing Up

If you’re like me, you can’t resist the many large plants that are available at this time of year. With all the new growth in a garden bed in spring and early summer, adding sizable plants is a must… new additions need to be seen among what is already there. But Corsican Mint, despite its very small size, will definitely get noticed. Plant lovers do not add it to their gardens for the benefit of those who drive by the home and admire their plantings from many feet away. They don’t add it for neighbors who view their gardens from a distance, through a window situated far off. Instead, they add it for the neighbors, family, and friends who visit and stroll along their garden paths, inspecting and enjoying as they go. And they add it for their own pleasure. Small plant; big impact….