- Botanical name: Mentha aquatica
- Common name: Water mint
- Family: Lamiaceae
- Plant Type: Bog, Herb, Marginal, Perennial, Pond, Deciduous
Pink
Green
- Key features:
- Aromatic foliage
- Attractive to wildlife
- Flowers
Water mint, Mentha aquatica, is a vigorous, herbaceous perennial with a wide native distribution, including Africa, Asia and Europe. In the UK it grows in the shallow waters of fens, streams, ditches and meadows.
It’s a fantastic plant for wildlife, as the globose flowerheads are are accessible to a number of pollinators, including butterflies, bees and hoverflies. Water mint leaves also can be used to flavour dishes and drinks.
For best results, grow Mentha aquatica at the edge of a pond as a marginal, or in boggy soil, in full sun or partial shade.
How to grow Mentha aquatica
-
Plant size
30cm height
50cm spread
-
Aspect
South facing, east facing, west facing
- Sun exposure: Dappled shade, full sun
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Boggy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do Plant in March |
A
Do Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do not Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do Plant in September |
O
Do Plant in October |
N
Do Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does not flower in June |
J
Plant does flower in July |
A
Plant does flower in August |
S
Plant does flower in September |
O
Plant does flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Take cuttings | ||||||||||||
| Take cuttings |
J
Do not Take cuttings in January |
F
Do not Take cuttings in February |
M
Do Take cuttings in March |
A
Do Take cuttings in April |
M
Do not Take cuttings in May |
J
Do not Take cuttings in June |
J
Do not Take cuttings in July |
A
Do not Take cuttings in August |
S
Do not Take cuttings in September |
O
Do not Take cuttings in October |
N
Do not Take cuttings in November |
D
Do not Take cuttings in December |
Mentha aquatica and wildlife
Mentha aquatica is known for attracting bees, beneficial insects, butterflies/moths and other pollinators. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers and provides shelter and habitat.
Attractive to Bees
Attractive to Beneficial insects
Does not attract Birds
Attractive to Butterflies/Moths
Attractive to Other pollinators
Is Mentha aquatica poisonous?
Mentha aquatica has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Mentha aquatica
