Mentha aquatica Care Guide
Mentha aquatica (water mint) is an aromatic emergent perennial used in paludariums and pond margins, producing lilac flower heads attractive to pollinators.
Overview
Mentha aquatica, water mint, is a rhizomatous perennial of the family Lamiaceae, first described by Linnaeus in 1753. It can reach about 90 cm tall, with square stems, ovate to ovate-lanceolate leaves 2-6 cm long, and tiny purple to lilac flowers densely crowded in hemispherical heads in mid to late summer. All parts of the plant have a distinctly minty smell.
Taxonomy
- Family: Lamiaceae
- Genus: Mentha
- Scientific name: Mentha aquatica
- Order: Lamiales
- Authority: Linnaeus, 1753
Habitat
The species is native to Europe, northwest Africa and southwest Asia, and has been introduced to the Americas, Australia and Atlantic islands. It grows along shallow margins and channels of streams, rivers, pools, ditches, canals, wet meadows, marshes and fens, emerging above the water surface when growing in water.
Tank requirements
- Water type: freshwater (emergent / paludarium)
- Temperature: 12-26 °C (54-79 °F)
- pH: 6.0-8.0
- GH: 4-18 °dGH
- Lighting: medium
- CO2 injection: not required
- Placement: background; height up to ~40 cm in cultivation
Growth and propagation
Water mint is grown emergent in paludariums and at pond margins rather than fully submersed. It spreads via underground rhizomes and is readily propagated by cuttings or rhizome division. Trimming every couple of weeks keeps growth dense and prevents it from overrunning a setup.
Ecology
The lilac flower heads are visited by many types of insects, and the species has a generalized pollination syndrome, making it a useful nectar source in open paludarium and pond settings.