Mentha aquatica

RHS Plant Profile

water mint

Other common names

fish mint, mintys y dŵr

Synonyms

Mentha subspicata

Bogs Herbs - Culinary Herbaceous Perennial

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A marginal, aquatic or semi-aquatic perennial to 90cm in height, spread by long thin segmented rhizomes, often reddish-purple stems and very aromatic dark green leaves, and in summer produces rounded terminal spikes of tiny, pinkish-purple flowers

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam

Moisture: Poorly–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing or North–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H6

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Lamiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: Yes
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Suckering
Genus: Mentha are aromatic, rhizomatous perennials with opposite, toothed leaves and small tubular flowers in spikes of whorls in summer
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Eurasia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in baskets in a large pond in water up to 25cm deep, or grow in muddy pool margins. Grow in full sun to encourage flowering. Has the potential to become a nuisance if not well managed. See pond plants and bog gardens for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants
Wildlife gardens

Pruning

Cut back after flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible powdery mildews or mint rust if allowed to become too dry