Mentha aquatica
Watermint
(c) Duarte Frade, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Lamiaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Mentha aquatica (Watermint) is a non-native California herb in the Lamiaceae family, recognized by Co-occurs with 11 other mint species; distinctive head-like terminal inflorescences.
Watermint is a naturalized perennial found in coastal and inland regions of California, including the North Coast, Klamath Ranges, Sierra Nevada Foothills, San Joaquin Valley, and desert mountains in moist places and fields at elevations below 950 meters. Flowering from July to October, this plant produces white to pink or violet flowers in dense, head-like clusters at the tips of its branches. Growing with stems 30 to 140 centimeters tall that are smooth or slightly hairy, it spreads readily in wet environments. Its leaves are generally ovate, 2 to 5 centimeters long with serrated edges and pointed tips, tapering to a base that may be slightly lobed. The plant forms dense clusters in moist habitats, making it a distinctive member of wetland plant communities.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 11 other mint species; distinctive head-like terminal inflorescences
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist places, fields
Elevation: < 950 m
Outside California: to Canada, eastern United States, native to Europe, naturalized from cultivation
Bloom period
Mentha aquatica blooms Jul-Oct.
How to tell it apart
vs Monardella: Monardella has one pom-pom head per stem; Mentha has multiple clusters stacked at intervals up the stem.; vs Salvia: Sage has flowers in an elongated terminal spike; Mentha has clusters distributed along the stem at leaf joints.; vs Stachys: Hedge-nettle has larger flowers and lacks the classic mint smell; Mentha is aromatic with smaller flowers.; vs Melissa: Lemon balm has flowers all on one side of the stem; Mentha's clusters encircle the stem evenly.; vs Clinopodium: Clinopodium has tiny flowers (pencil-eraser size); Mentha's flowers are noticeably larger and more visible.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mentha aquatica native to California?
No. Mentha aquatica is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Mentha aquatica bloom?
Mentha aquatica blooms Jul-Oct.
What plant family does Mentha aquatica belong to?
Mentha aquatica is in the Lamiaceae family, genus Mentha.
What habitat does Mentha aquatica grow in?
Mentha aquatica grows in Moist places, fields.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-08
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.