(a plant with its roots)
Deer Mint (Preslia cervina): the aromatic freshness of our watersides
Deer Mint (Preslia cervina) is a fascinating and highly original waterside plant. Native to Europe, it releases 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 pompons. When submerged in an aquarium, it develops fine, graceful stems while actively helping to purify the water. A true 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 native: this native plant perfectly withstands our winters outdoors.
- 🦐 A haven for microfauna: its submerged stems provide excellent grazing support for your water lice and snails.
- 🌸 Spectacular flowering: in ponds or outdoor tub habitats, its tiered flowers attract pollinators throughout the summer.
Planting and cultivation tips
-
Light: moderate to high. It loves sunshine outdoors and good lighting in an aquarium to prevent it from becoming leggy.
-
Soil and nutrition: an inert substrate such as sand is sufficient. It draws its nutrients from the water, which it purifies in the process.
-
Maintenance: trim the stems if they become too long. You can propagate the cut tops to create a new clump.
-
Temperature: 2 to 28°C. It is perfect for unheated tanks and spends the winter outdoors without any problems.
⭐ Tip: gently crush a small emergent leaf between your fingers while maintaining your paludarium or pond—the fragrance is a true natural delight!
Possible uses
-
Ponds and pools: along the banks or in a few centimeters of water, it helps stabilize the edges and provides highly decorative blooms. Above all, its flowers attract pollinators and promote the ecosystem's biodiversity.
-
Low-tech aquarium: as a midground or background plant, it adds a touch of fine, elegant verticality.
-
Paludariums and outdoor tub habitats: 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 seek the surface so it can flower in the open air.
Does it need CO2?
No, adding gas is unnecessary. Nature does a perfectly good job on its own in a well-balanced ecosystem.
Is it vulnerable to frost in winter?
Not at all. Its above-water parts will disappear in the cold, but the root system will overwinter and produce new shoots the following spring.
Additional information
-
Scientific name: Preslia cervina (or Mentha cervina)
-
Origin: Europe and the Mediterranean Basin
-
Plant type: aromatic amphibious plant
-
Light: moderate to high
-
Temperature: 2 to 28°C (the base survives frost perfectly well)
-
Height: 15 to 40 cm (depending on size and environment)
-
Packaging: a plant with its roots
-
Guarantee: without rock wool or any artificial substrate of any kind.
-
Recommendation: as a precautionary measure, please never release this plant into the wild. Our natural aquatic ecosystems are precious and fragile.
