Mentha aquatica or water mint has a creeping rootstock and grows around water and is easy to recognise by its almost spherical inflorescence. The small flowers are crowded into spikes at the tip of the stems, varying in colour from white to mauve. The strongly aromatic, narrow leaves are formed in pairs opposite each other along the square-shaped stem. The leaves are usually coarsely hairy and the edges sparsely toothed.
Despite its name, the species is not limited to damp soil – sometimes it even grows on relatively dry patches beside fields and roads. Plant in a spot where it can be controlled.
With its strong mint smell and taste, Mentha aquatica has found its way into homes for centuries where it has been used in the kitchen and as a medicine.
