water mint
Mentha aquatica
RHS Plants for Pollinators
USDA zones5 to 11
SunHandles full sun to partial sun
WaterNeeds moist soil
Size12 to 24 inches tall2 to 3 feet wide
- Bloom season
- Summer
- Soil types
- Loam, clay
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Water mint (Mentha aquatica) is an herb for pollinator gardens, low maintenance beds, and food gardens. It is hardy to USDA zone 5, or down to -20°F (-29°C). This plant likes full or part sun and moist, loamy or clay soil. It blooms from early to late summer and draws butterflies and bees. The leaves are fragrant. It spreads 24 to 36 inches wide, so give it room.
Pairs well with Angelica, Tansy, and Munstead lavender.
Native range
Europe, Middle East, Central Asia, Africa, and 17 more places. See all 21
Europe, Middle East, Central Asia, Africa, Azores, Baleares, Corse, Cyprus, Eswatini, Free State, Føroyar, Krasnoyarsk, Kriti, Krym, Lesotho, Madeira, NW. Balkan Pen., Northern Provinces, Sardegna, Sicilia, and Türkiye.