Water mint (Mentha aquatica)
Water mint (Mentha aquatica) is a bog plant that can grow 10cm – 50cm tall and 50cm – 1.5m wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Water mint (Mentha aquatica).
This plant has several common names including: water mint or fish mint.
This is a deciduous plant that takes 2-5 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: water mint, fish mint
Scientific name: Mentha aquatica
Plant type: Bogs, Herbs, Perennials
Habit: Suckering
Height: 10cm – 50cm
Spread: 50cm – 1.5m
Foliage: Deciduous
Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial shade
Soil: Clay, Loam
Moisture: Poorly drained
Garden type: Wildlife Gardens
Seasonal colors
| Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
How to plant Water mint (Mentha aquatica) – Michel Langeveld, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Whether small or large, formal or informal, every garden has space for an aquatic element. The sound and reflective qualities of water have long been used to add interest to gardens.
A pond, fountain or even a smaller water container greatly increases the variety of plants you can grow. In addition, they also encourage a wide variety of wildlife, including insects, frogs, toads and birds.
Together with plants, these elements offer a diversity of interests.
Other types of Mentha to consider:
See all Mentha
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Water mint (Mentha aquatica), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Water mint (Mentha aquatica) is a plant that prefers to grow in clay or loam.
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Clay soil is composed of more than 25 percent clay particles. These particles have a high moisture holding capacity and the soil is heavy to dig and can be waterlogged in winter (dry in summer).
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The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.
It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Mentha aquatica likes to grow in humid or poorly drained soil.
Sunlight
Water mint (Mentha aquatica) is a plant that should be grown in full sun or partial shade positions.
Cultivation profiles – Growing Water mint (Mentha aquatica) – Michel Langeveld, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
