Description:
By far the smallest of Mints, this charming plant forms a flat carpet of tiny bright-green leaves with an intense creme-de-menthe fragrance. Minute mauve flowers appear in midsummer. Perfect for planting between paving stones in a moist, part-shaded area. Stepping on the plant will release the pleasant scent. Where plants are not winter hardy this is still worthwhile growing as an annual, and it will often self-seed for several years. Nice also as a carpeting plant to cover the soil in pots beneath taller-growing specimens. Easily increased by ripping apart into smaller pieces.
Grown as a culinary herb and as a fragrant ground cover - *not perennial in Ontario but may self seed. Prefers part-shade to shade.
Optimal Growing Conditions
Sun Exposure Partial Shade
Soil Type Normal or
Sandy or
Clay
Soil pH Neutral or
Alkaline or
Acid
Soil Moisture Average or
Moist
Care Level Easy
Appearance and Characteristics
Flower Colour Mauve/Lilac
Blooming Time Mid Summer
Late Summer
Foliage Color Deep Green
Plant Uses & Characteristics Alpine & Rock
Containers
Deer Resistant
Rabbit Resistant
Fragrant
Ground Cover
Flower Head Size Very Small
Height 1-2 cm
0-1 inches
Spread 15-30 cm
6-12 inches
Foot Traffic High
Growth Rate Medium