Hart’s Pennyroyal (Mentha cervina syn. Preslia cervina) - Non-Native Aromatic Creeper for Damp Pond Collars (Peat-Free, Pesticide-Free)

A neat, aromatic creeping mint with delicate lilac flower whorls, Mentha cervina (Hart’s Pennyroyal) loves consistently moist to wet soil at the pond rim. It forms low, fine-textured mats that stitch the pond collar, soften stonework and create warm, protected shallows for froglets and emerging aquatic insects. Expect roughly 5-15(-20) cm in height with a spreading, rooting-at-nodes habit that’s easy to guide with light trims or by basket-planting in bog zones. Not UK-native, but very well-behaved when kept to the dry/bog edge (it’s not a submerged plant).

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, basket rims; excellent for barrel ponds where the rim 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 pieces where you don’t

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

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

Safety (important & honest):
Grown for ornamental/wildlife use only. We don’t supply this as a culinary herb - do not ingest. Wash hands after pond work; keep trimmings away from pets/livestock. Dispose of waste responsibly and keep plant material and soil out of natural watercourses.

Truth-first wildlife note:
The small, tubular lilac flowers are accessible to hoverflies and small bees, while the low, scented mat creates edge micro-habitat - safe routes at the warm shallows for amphibians and invertebrates. Pair with showier single-flowered natives to boost nectar across the season.

Joel says…
“Think of Hart’s Pennyroyal as a fragrant 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.