(one plant with its roots)
Deer Mint (Preslia cervina): the aromatic freshness of our shores
Deer Mint (Preslia cervina) is a fascinating and very unique shore plant. Native to Europe, it releases a very pleasant menthol scent as soon as you brush its emerged foliage.
Very versatile, it thrives with its "feet in the water" at pond edges or in paludariums, where it offers a magnificent summer bloom of small lilac pom-poms. 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 scent: out of the water, its foliage releases delightful notes of sweet mint.
- 🛡️ Rustic hardiness: as a native plant, it perfectly withstands our outdoor winters.
- 🦐 A microfauna haven: its submerged stems are an excellent grazing support for your water lice and snails.
- 🌸 A spectacular bloom: in ponds or poubellariums, its tiered flowers attract pollinators all summer long.
Planting and care tips
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Light: medium to strong. It loves sun outdoors and good lighting in aquariums to avoid etiolation.
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Soil and nutrition: an inert substrate like sand is sufficient. It draws its nutrients from the water it purifies as it grows.
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Maintenance: prune stems if they become too long. You can propagate new plants by cutting and rooting the trimmed tops.
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Temperature: 2 to 28°C. It is perfect for unheated tanks and survives winter outdoors without any problem.
⭐ Tip: gently crush a small emerged 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 water garden: on the banks or in a few centimeters of water, it stabilizes edges and offers very decorative flowering. Most importantly, its bloom attracts pollinators and supports ecosystem biodiversity.
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Low-tech aquarium: in the midground or background, it adds a touch of fine and elegant verticality.
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Paludarium and poubellarium: an excellent water/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 to bloom in open air.
Does it need CO2?
No, adding gas is unnecessary. Nature does a great job on its own in a well-balanced ecosystem.
Is it sensitive to frost in winter?
Not at all. Its aerial parts will disappear with the cold, but the root system will hibernate to 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 Mediterranean basin
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Plant type: aromatic amphibious plant
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Light: medium to strong
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Temperature: 2 to 28°C (the plant base survives frost perfectly)
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Height: 15 to 40 cm (depending on size and environment)
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Packaging: one plant with its roots
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Guarantee: free of rock wool or any artificial substrate of any kind.
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Recommendation: as a precaution, please never release this plant into the wild. Our natural aquatic ecosystems are precious and fragile.
