Photo: Duarte FradeCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Water Mint Plant Care
Mentha aquatica L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This water mint species is easily recognizable by its lance-shaped leaves with toothed edges, originating from wet habitats in Europe and Asia. Plant collectors are drawn to Mentha aquatica for its strong, refreshing scent and medicinal properties, making it a valuable addition to any herb garden or pond-side landscape.
Every 3–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
55–75°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Water Mint?
Water Water Mint every 3–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 55–75°F (13–24°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every month during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Water Mint Native To?
- Albania
- Algeria
- Angola
- Armenia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Bahrain
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Benin
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Bulgaria
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Djibouti
- DR Congo
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Estonia
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Finland
- France
- Gabon
- Georgia
- Germany
- Ghana
- Greece
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Iran
- Iraq
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Jordan
- Kenya
- Kuwait
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mali
- Malta
- Mauritania
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Oman
- Palestine
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Republic of the Congo
- Romania
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Saudi Arabia
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Sierra Leone
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Spain
- Sudan
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Syria
- Tanzania
- The Gambia
- The Netherlands
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Türkiye
- UAE
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- Yemen
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
What Is the Water Mint?
Water Mint (Mentha aquatica) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Mentha genus. Water Mint is native to much of Europe, northwest Africa and southwest Asia. Water Mint is also known as Brook Mint.
Water Mint displays a spreading, mat-forming herb growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Water Mint produces small, lilac to white flowers in terminal spikes.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Water Mint?
Mentha aquatica requires watering every 3–7 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 3–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Water Mint Need?
Water Mint thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Water Mint Prefer?
Mentha aquatica grows best at temperatures of 55–75°F. Water Mint prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
55–75°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Water Mint?
Well-draining, fertile soil with a neutral pH. Good drainage is essential for Water Mint to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Water Mint?
Feed Water Mint every month during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every month
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Water Mint?
Divide and repot every 2-3 years. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Water Mint?
Water Mint can be propagated through division, stem cuttings, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to spearmint plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Water Mint Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Water Mint?
Water Mint is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, mint rust. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Water Mint Need?
Water Mint grows outdoors in USDA Zone 5a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 5a. Water Mint is native to much of Europe, northwest Africa and southwest Asia.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 5a – 9b
Keep exploring plants
Water Mint is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Mentha genus — compare its care with other Mentha species on PlantoScan.
Mentha is part of the Lamiaceae plant family — browse all Lamiaceae genera and species.
Water Mint thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Mentha Species
Other Mentha species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Mentha aquatica L., family Lamiaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 576 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Water Mint is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Duarte Frade, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 5a – 9b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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