(a plant with its roots)
Deer mint (Preslia cervina): the aromatic freshness of our banks
Deer mint (Preslia cervina) is a fascinating and highly original bank plant. Native to Europe, it gives off a very pleasant minty fragrance as soon as its emergent foliage is brushed against.
Highly versatile, it thrives with its "feet in the water" along the edge of a pond or in a paludarium, where it produces a magnificent summer bloom of small lilac pom-poms. When submerged in an aquarium, it develops fine, graceful stems while actively helping to purify the water. A real gem for natural ecosystems!
Why choose deer mint?
- 🌿 An enchanting fragrance: out of the water, its foliage releases delicious notes of sweet mint.
- 🛡️ Hardy and resilient: as a native plant, it tolerates our outdoor winters perfectly.
- 🦐 A refuge for microfauna: its submerged stems are an excellent grazing surface for your water lice and snails.
- 🌸 A spectacular bloom: in ponds or container ponds, its tiered flowers attract pollinators all summer long.
Planting and growing advice
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Light: medium to high. It loves sunshine outdoors and good lighting in an aquarium to prevent it from becoming leggy.
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Soil and nutrition: an inert substrate such as sand is sufficient. It draws its nutrients from the water, which it purifies in the process.
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Maintenance: trim the stems if they become too long. You can propagate the cut tops to create a new clump.
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Temperature: 2 to 28°C. It is perfect for unheated tanks and spends the winter outdoors without difficulty.
⭐ Tip: gently crush a small emergent leaf between your fingers while maintaining your paludarium or pond; the scent is a true natural delight!
Possible uses
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Pond and pool: along the banks or in a few centimeters of water, it reinforces the edges and provides highly decorative blooms. Above all, its flowers attract pollinators and promote the ecosystem's biodiversity.
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Low-tech aquarium: as a midground or background plant, it adds a touch of fine, elegant verticality.
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Paludarium and container pond: an excellent water-to-land transition plant, it grows luxuriantly there.
FAQ - Deer mint (Preslia cervina)
Can it be planted underwater?
Yes, it adapts to fully submerged life, although its natural tendency is to reach the surface and bloom in the open air.
Does it need CO2?
No, adding gas is unnecessary. Nature does a very good job on its own in a well-balanced ecosystem.
Is it susceptible to frost in winter?
Not at all. Its above-ground parts will disappear in the cold, but the root system will overwinter and produce new shoots the following spring.
Additional information
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Scientific name: Preslia cervina (or Mentha cervina)
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Origin: Europe and the Mediterranean Basin
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Plant type: aromatic amphibious plant
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Light: medium to high
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Temperature: 2 to 28°C (the base survives frost perfectly well)
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Height: 15 to 40 cm (depending on size and environment)
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Packaging: a plant with its roots
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Guarantee: free of rock wool and any artificial substrate of any kind.
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Recommendation: as a precautionary measure, please never release this plant into the wild. Our wild aquatic ecosystems are precious and fragile.
