Pennyroyal / Pudding Grass (Mentha pulegium) - Wildlife-Friendly UK-Native Creeping Mint for Damp Edges (Peat-Free, Pesticide-Free)

A low, aromatic creeping mint with tiny lilac flower whorls, Mentha pulegium (Pennyroyal) is a UK-native of damp grass and pond rims. It forms neat mats that stitch the pond collar, scenting the air when brushed and creating warm, protected shallows for froglets and aquatic insects. The small, open blooms draw hoverflies and small bees in late summer, while the carpeted habit keeps sightlines clear. Best in consistently moist to wet soil at the rim - not a submerged plant. Expect roughly 5-15 cm tall with a spreading, rooting-at-nodes habit that’s easy to steer with light trims or by basket-planting in bog zones.

Where it thrives

• Light: Full sun to light/partial shade (flowers best with some sun)

• Moisture/Zone: Pond collar / bog in moist-wet soil; keep the crown at or just above water level (do not submerge)

• Setting: Path edges, stone gaps and basket rims; excellent for barrel ponds around the rim where it stays evenly damp

Planting & care

• Plant in peat-free bog/pond-edge compost or moisture-retentive soil; mulch to hold moisture

• Trim after flowering to keep growth tight; guide runners where you want cover, lift stray bits where you don’t

• Divide in spring every 2 to 3 years to refresh mats and extend planting

• In small spaces, consider basket-planting in the bog zone for tidy containment

Safety (important & honest):
Not edible. Do not ingest. Pennyroyal contains pulegone, which is toxic - especially dangerous if ingested by people (notably during pregnancy), pets or livestock. We sell it for ornamental/wildlife use only. Wash hands after handling; keep trimmings away from animals; dispose of waste responsibly. Never release plants or pond water into natural watercourses.

Truth-first wildlife note:
While the flowers are small, they’re accessible to hoverflies and small bees, and the scented, low mat creates edge micro-habitat that helps amphibians and invertebrates move safely between water and land. Pair with showier single-flowered natives (e.g., Water Mint, Purple Loosestrife) for stronger nectar continuity.

Joel says…
“Think of Pennyroyal as a scented stitcher - low, tidy and useful. Keep it evenly moist at the rim, give it a tidy after bloom, and let it knit safe pathways for pond life.”

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are ordering perennials between the months of October and March, including aquatic plants, please be aware that this is the dormant phase for perennials, so your plants may arrive showing potentially little or no top growth at this stage, or can in some cases still have some old leaves from last year showing also. Please don't worry, as this is all quite normal. Once the weather warms up in spring, you will start to see fresh growth and activity! If you ever have any concerns at all, please just message the team on enquiries@wildyourgarden.com and we'll always do our best to help.