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Corsican Mint (Mentha requienii), whole plant
  • Corsican Mint — close-up of leaves and flowers
  • Corsican Mint — seasonal appearance
  • Corsican Mint in a garden setting

Corsican Mint

Mentha requienii

Easy · Beginner friendly

About Corsican Mint

Corsican Mint is a tiny Mediterranean creeping mint reaching only 1/4 to 1/2 inch tall, forming a dense moss-like mat of minute bright-green leaves that release an intense crème de menthe fragrance when stepped on or brushed. Reaches just a few inches in spread per year. Beloved as a fragrant filler between paving stones, in fairy gardens, and as a delicate groundcover in shaded moist American gardens. The original ingredient in crème de menthe liqueur.

  • Edible
  • Fragrant
  • Groundcover
  • Compact
WATER
Wants wet
Keep moist
LIGHT
Part shade
2–4 hrs direct
HARDY
Hardy to 0°F (-18°C)
USDA hardiness zones 7–9

How to care for Corsican Mint

Watering

  • Springevery 3 days
  • Summerevery 3 days
  • Fallevery 5 days
  • Winterevery 10 days

Soil · Rich & well-draining

  • Top dressingCompost10%
  • Main mixPotting soil + compost 3:180%
  • DrainageGravel10%

Top up the compost layer each season.

FERTILIZER

  • Springevery 45 days
  • Summerevery 45 days
Get watering reminders for Corsican Mint — free on iPhoneDownload on the App Store

At a Glance

  • NativeMediterranean, Europe
  • Height0.5 ft (0.2 m)
  • Spread1–2 ft (0.3–0.6 m)
  • Flower colorPurple
  • Foliage colorGreen
  • SoilLoamy, Moisture-retentive
  • LocationsYard · Balcony

Bloom time

BLOOM CYCLE

Peak bloom

Jun–Aug

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Tiny lilac flowers in summer (often hidden in foliage)

Fragrance

STRONG FRAGRANCE

Intense peppermint aroma released when brushed or walked on.

Toxicity

Pets Slight

pulegone and menthol

Not reported

EXPOSURE No exposure route is reported.

EFFECT No toxic effect is reported.

NOTE No human toxicity is reported in this catalog; avoid eating ornamental plants unless confirmed edible.

Slight

  • Leaf
  • Ingestion

EXPOSURE Eating leaves.

EFFECT Gastrointestinal upset (large amounts).

NOTE Contains pulegone; ASPCA lists Mentha as mildly toxic to pets in quantity.

Slight

  • Leaf
  • Ingestion

EXPOSURE Eating leaves.

EFFECT Gastrointestinal upset (large amounts).

NOTE Contains pulegone; ASPCA lists Mentha as mildly toxic to pets in quantity.

Educational information, not medical or veterinary advice. If exposure is suspected, contact a doctor or veterinarian.

DISTRIBUTION

Corsican Mint · Native
  • Native
  • Introduced
  • Mediterranean
  • Europe

History

Illustrated historical scene for Corsican Mint

Mentha requienii, commonly called Corsican mint or Spanish mint, is an extraordinarily diminutive creeping perennial in the mint family (Lamiaceae) native to the islands of Corsica, Sardinia, and parts of Italy and Spain, growing in moist shaded rocky crevices. English botanist George Bentham formally described the species in 1834, honoring French naturalist Esprit Requien (1788-1851) who discovered the plant in Corsica. Unlike its coarser relatives, Corsican mint forms extremely flat moss-like mats only 2-3 cm tall with minute 3-5 mm rounded medium-green leaves that emit a powerful pure peppermint aroma disproportionate to the plant's tiny size.

Tiny lavender-purple flowers appear as dots in summer. The plant is grown between flagstones, paving stones, in fairy gardens, and in terrariums for its fragrance released when walked on. It is also the traditional flavoring in crème de menthe liqueur production.

Not hardy in cold-winter climates—annual in zone 5 and colder, perennial in milder Mediterranean climates. Requires consistent moisture and partial shade. A favorite of cottage and fairy gardens since Victorian times, it remains popular in American gardens for its scent-when-touched effect along walkways.

Symbolism & meaning

What It Symbolizes

Corsican Mint embodies delicacy, the tiniest of all mints, forming a moss-like carpet between flagstones and along shaded paths. Step on it and surprise rises immediately — a sudden burst of crushed-mint fragrance from beneath the feet. This is the patron of small, hidden pleasures: a plant so modest it goes unnoticed until touched, then rewards the careless step with a whole lungful of green, peppermint air.

  • Delicacy — tiniest of all mints
  • Surprise — delights walkers with crushed-mint scent

Where the Name Comes From

The name Corsican Mint describes its mint-family scent or habit. 'Requienii' honors French naturalist Esprit Requien (1788-1851).

Uses & Fun Facts

  • Peppermint-scented foliage releases fragrance underfoot between stones
  • Corsican Mint spreads as low groundcover on banks and slopes

Related plants

More Mentha plants

Plants with similar care

Frequently asked questions

How often should I water Corsican Mint?

In summer, water about every 3 days; in winter, about every 10 days. Adjust for heat, pot size and drainage.

How much light does Corsican Mint need?

Part shade: 2–4 hrs direct. Watch the leaves — scorching or stretching means the light needs adjusting.

Is Corsican Mint toxic to cats or dogs?

Pets Slight (Dogs Slight · Cats Slight) Educational information, not medical or veterinary advice. If exposure is suspected, contact a doctor or veterinarian.

Is Corsican Mint easy to grow?

Yes — it is considered an easy, beginner-friendly plant.

When does Corsican Mint bloom?

It typically blooms Jun–Aug in the Northern Hemisphere.

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