Corsican mint is one of the smallest members of the mint family, and an old garden favourite because it creeps continually to form a beautiful, dense and soft mat of very low growing foliage, generally growing only about 1 to 5cm tall. However, under perfect conditions it is known to reach an ultimate height of up to 10cm once fully mature. The little rounded green leaves are glossy, and the plant spreads continually by thread-like stems which creep along the ground, rooting as they go.

In cold and frosty regions this perennial will become totally dormant in winter, re-sprouting again in spring, but it in mild, frost-free climates it is semi-evergreen. Tiny, lilac-pink flowers appear in summer, but are so small they are hardly noticeable.

Corsican mint is native to the Islands of Corsica, Sardinia and Montecristo, and has been planted extensively in gardens around the world, but sadly, as most gardeners know, mints also have aggressive, invasive qualities, and Corsican mint is no exception, and has proved itself to be enough of a nuisance that its cultivation is prohibited in many countries. It has naturalized itself in Portugal, and the British Isles, and in the United States it is considered an invasive species in the southeast where it has naturalized as a perennial.

Corsican mint is not listed as an invasive plant in South Africa, and it should be fine to plant it in city and suburban gardens, but I appeal to gardeners that are privileged to live close to a green belt or other wild areas, and especially if they are close to water sources like dams and streams, not to plant this mint, or at least to confine it to a pot.

In the Kitchen:

Corsican mint is used to make Crème de Menthe, French for "mint cream" and this sweet, mint-flavoured alcoholic beverage is available commercially in a colourless version called "white" and a “green version”. Both varieties have a similar flavour and are interchangeable in recipes, except where colour is important. Crème de Menthe is usually made with Corsican mint or peppermint, which is steeped in grain alcohol for several weeks before it is filtered and sweetened to create the final product, which typically has 25% alcohol by volume.

Sergei Rachmaninoff (Born 1 April 1873 – Died 28 March 1943), a Russian-American composer, virtuoso pianist, and conductor is widely considered one of the finest pianists of his day and, although otherwise a teetotaller, found that a glass of Crème de Menthe steadied his nerves when playing the technically demanding piano score in the twenty-fourth variation of his Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. He nicknamed the twenty-fourth the "Crème de Menthe Variation"

DIY Recipe for Crème de Menthe

Crème de Menthe pairs well with chocolate and many spirits, and is super easy to make at home. And, besides working out a lot more cost effective, many people believe it blows away the commercial stuff because it smells like freshly picked mint, and has a bright and natural flavour which you just can't get from extracts. Using only three ingredients, and taking only one day to brew, could not make this drink easier to make. The homemade version is a pale greenish-yellow, but you can add some green food colouring if you want it to look more festive.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups fresh mint leaves (divided)

1 1/2 cups vodka

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 cup water

Directions:

Measure out 1 cup of mint leaves and tear them in quarters. Place the leaves in a sealable glass jar and pour the vodka on top. Shake and let steep for 12 hours. After steeping, strain the leaves from the infused vodka and return the infused vodka to the jar.

Bring the water and sugar to a boil, and allow it to simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow the syrup to cool down before adding it to the mint-infused vodka. Take the remaining 1/2 cup of mint leaves, tear them up, and add them to the jar. Shake and let steep for another 10 hours.

Strain twice to remove all the leaves, and store in a glass bottle. The liqueur will keep for about two months. Refrigeration is not necessary, unless you'd like it chilled.

Nothing is better on a chilly winter night than to add a little Crème de Menthe to a cup of steaming hot chocolate or coffee, and it’s a great addition to ice cream, most desserts and cakes, so use your imagination when using yours, the sky’s the limit!

Crème de Menthe is a primary component of the popular South African shooter known as the “Springbokkie”, made by pouring green Crème de Menthe into a shot glass and then layering golden Amarula on top, to represent the green and gold colours of the Springboks.

A “Grasshopper” is a sweet, mint-flavoured, after-dinner drink, named for its green colour from the Crème de Menthe, which is mixed with equal parts of Crème de Cacao, a cocoa bean flavoured liqueur, available in both white (clear) and dark varieties, and fresh cream.  All the ingredients are shaken together in a cocktail shaker with ice, and served in a chilled cocktail glass – delicious and so refreshing!

A “Stinger” is a duo cocktail made by adding white Crème de Menthe to a good brandy like Cognac in a mixing glass with ice, stirring and serving it in a cocktail glass. It may also be served on the rocks. The stinger cocktail's origins can be traced to the United States in the 1890’s, and the beverage remained widely popular in America until the 1970’s. It was seen as a drink of the upper class, and has had a somewhat wide cultural impact.

Uses:

In traditional medicine this plant has been used as an antiseptic, a carminative and a febrifuge to reduce fevers.

The smell of mint repels ants and fleas, and is also disliked by rats and mice, and Corsican mint is planted as a groundcover to deter these rodents. The herb can also be cut and strewn over floors in areas where rodents are a problem.

In the Garden:

Corsican mint is a fast grower and does well as a groundcover in moist areas of the garden, and around water features and ponds. Because it can indeed be walked upon without dying, it is sometimes used to line walkways, and grows beautifully between stepping stones and pavers. It’s also lovely if allowed to drape over the sides of pots, and perfect for ‘herb seats’. 

Companion planting:

Corsican mint, along with pennyroyal, is thought to be one of the best mints to grow as a companion to brassica plants like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, etc. Its strong scent repels certain pesky insects that like to munch on brassica crops, and it does this by obscuring the smell of the brassicas from the pests.

Cultivation/Propagation:

Corsican mint grows well in South Africa and is a perennial that goes dormant in winter but may stay semi-evergreen in the frost free regions of the country. The plant is able to tolerate light frosts without protection, and where hard frosts occur it will go totally dormant in winter, enabling it to tolerate temperatures as low -10 to -15°C. In severely cold regions the roots must be mulched in autumn to keep them from freezing in winter. Dormant plants quickly re-sprout again in spring.

It thrives in semi-shade; and in full sun if it is watered regularly. In very hot summer regions it will appreciate some midday and early afternoon shade.

Corsican mint adapts to most garden soils from acidic to neutral and alkaline, but grows best in rich, light, moist but well-drained soils. It will not do well in dry soils.  To thrive, all mints need to be watered regularly, and are intolerant of drought; however, excessive moisture can lead to root rot.

This plant is a light feeder, so avoid over fertilising. An annual feed in spring using a balanced, water-soluble fertiliser should suffice to keep it healthy.

Mint plants requires plenty of air circulation, so thin out the plants regularly to avoid overcrowding, and to keep them low and compact, cut the plants right back after flowering.

Propagation is usually done by division, and the plants will freely self-seed if grown in optimum conditions, and can become aggressive.

Growing Corsican Mint Indoors:

Corsican mint will grow easily indoors if the plant can be placed where it receives morning sunlight, but where it is protected from intense light and heat. Plant in a lightweight, well-drained potting mixture, and be sure the pot has a drainage holes in the bottom. During summer water regularly to keep the soil moist, but not soggy, but during the cooler winter months the soil will not dry out as quickly as it would during the hot summer months, so water less frequently, keeping the soil only slightly moist.

Problems, Pests & Diseases:

Corsican mint may be susceptible to powdery mildews. This very common garden disease can be

Warning:

Mentha requienii is toxic to dogs in large amounts, and I always advise that children are supervised in the garden, and pets discouraged from chewing on plants.