Mentha aquatica – Water Mint

A fragrant, fast‑growing native marginal and a top pollinator plant

Product Description

Mentha aquatica (Water Mint) is a beautifully aromatic native marginal plant, loved for its strong mint fragrance and clusters of pink‑lilac flower heads that appear through summer and into early autumn. Long valued for its essential oils, Water Mint remains a favourite in wildlife ponds and naturalistic planting schemes thanks to its vigorous growth and exceptional ecological value.

This is one of our bestselling marginal plants, highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, making it an excellent choice for boosting biodiversity around your pond. Its lush green foliage and colourful flower heads create a soft, natural look that blends effortlessly into both informal and structured water gardens.

Key Features

• Strong mint scent from foliage and stems
• Pinkish‑lilac flower heads from July into autumn
• Highly pollinator‑friendly – a magnet for bees and butterflies
• Fast‑growing native species, ideal for wildlife ponds
• Thrives in full sun to part shade
• Excellent for naturalising pond edges and damp ground
• Provides seasonal colour, fragrance, and ecological value

Repotting or Planting

• 9cm plants – Pot into a larger mesh basket. Place no deeper than 1/3 of maximum planting depth to allow establishment.
• 1 litre plants – No repotting required. Place no deeper than 1/2 of maximum planting depth.
• 3 litre & 5 litre plants – Ready to place at full recommended depth. No need to remove the mesh basket.

Care Instructions

Very easy to maintain.
Trim back as required at any point during the growing season to control spread and encourage fresh growth.

Plant Details

• Colour: Purple
• Growth Rate: Fast
• Flowers: July–October
• Sun/Shade: Full sun to part shade
• Native: Yes
• Season: Spring–Summer

Measurements (cm)

• Height: 30–80 (typical range for Water Mint)

Companion Planting Recommendations

Water Mint pairs beautifully with other wildlife‑friendly and moisture‑loving marginals such as:

• Lythrum salicaria (Purple Loosestrife) – Tall spires for height contrast
• Caltha palustris (Marsh Marigold) – Early yellow flowers for seasonal spread
• Iris pseudacorus – Strong vertical structure and bold foliage
• Ranunculus flammula – Low, creeping marginal for naturalistic edges
• Mentha cervina – A finer‑leaved mint for textural variation
• Pontederia cordata – Larger leaves and summer flowers for contrast

These combinations create a vibrant, wildlife‑rich planting scheme with varied height, colour, and texture.