Water mint - Mentha aquatica

• Add to Pick List
• Back to search results

Water mint - Mentha aquatica
© Dr Chris Gibson/English Nature

Like other members of the large mint family, water mint has strongly aromatic leaves which may be used for culinary purposes. The round terminal head of pinkish flowers is quite distinctive. There may be whorls below the main flowerhead. The hairy leaves are purplish-green, toothed and in pairs.

This is a very useful plant for pond margins and bog gardens where it will add a splash of colour (and a whiff of scent) as well as attracting butterflies. Small tortoiseshells and peacocks especially seem to be attracted to this plant and it is also the foodplant of the attractive green tortoise beetle.

Animals

Butterflies, Comma, Green tortoise beetle, Peacock, Red admiral, Small tortoiseshell

Foliage	Green
Flower	Pink, July to October
Moisture	(Wet)
Sunlight	(Full sun)
Origin	Native