Mentha cervina Alba

The Mentha or Preslia cervina 'Alba', commonly known as Deer Mint, is a perennial plant with delicate leaves and a remarkably fresh fragrance. It thrives in any moist location while being less invasive than some other varieties of mint. This species also offers a long, honey-scented summer flowering period in pure white. Resistant and vigorous, it adds a touch of simplicity to water features. Growing deer mint in a pot on a balcony or terrace is possible if constant moisture is maintained. Its young, tender foliage is perfect for preparing refreshing drinks.

The Mentha cervina or Preslia cervina is known as Deer Mint. It belongs to the Lamiaceae family, which includes many aromatic plants such as mint, thyme, lavender, basil, savory, and many others. It is a botanical species native to the western Mediterranean region. It is present in southwestern France to the Iberian Peninsula, extending south to the Azores, Morocco, and Algeria, where it colonises various types of wet soils and survives winter by remaining submerged. In Portugal, this plant is used fresh or dried in the preparation of stews, salads, soups, cheeses, and sauces, and it is also used to create various liqueur infusions. Paired with Mentha pulegium (Pennyroyal), it has traditionally been a repellent against pests.

The 'Alba' form only differs in its white flowering. It is a perennial with running rhizomes, and its vegetation forms a bushy and spreading clump that reaches 0.20 to 0.30 m in height with an approximate spread of 0.40 m. Its erect and hollow stems support the deciduous foliage, which is very dense. The leaves, without petioles, are gathered in small clusters, linear and lanceolate, with marked edges, displaying a colour ranging from medium green to grey-green. They emit a strong menthol scent. From July to September, it produces pure white flowers grouped in pompon-shaped inflorescences located in the axils of the leaves and along the branches. These flowers are attractive to bees and pollinating insects.

Mentha cervina 'Alba' is a robust and frost-tolerant plant suitable for vegetating the edges of ponds or basins and marshy areas. Still, it can also thrive on solid ground if the soil is consistently moist. This mint can tolerate having its feet in water at a depth not exceeding 10 cm. In a garden, it can be planted along the edge of a pond or basin, in the heart of marshy areas, among rocks or stones, in a wet environment, or even in a few centimetres of stagnant water. Due to its non-invasive nature, this mint variety is particularly suitable for small ponds, restricted water bodies, and natural swimming pool designs. To create a balanced ensemble, you can pair it with plants ideal for banks or shallow waters, such as Juncus effusus Spiralis (Corkscrew Rush), Primula florindae (Tibetan Primrose), Pontederia cordata, Acorus calamus, Iris ensata Variegata (Japanese Iris), and wetland grasses like Carex pendula or Eriophorum angustifolium (Common Cottongrass).

Growing Deer Mint in a pot is possible by choosing a container with good water retention and placing the plant preferably in full sun.