Warrnambool | A City for Living

River Mint

Mentha australis
River Mint
Image by: Kevin Sparrow

A sprawling or erect herb that often suckers with mid to dark green aromatic leaves. Clusters of small tubular white to pale mauve flowers appear towards the end of stems from September to March. This plant requires moist to wet soils and is useful near ponds, beside pools and planted amongst ferns. It has been used by indigenous peoples as a bushfood, insect repellant and medicinal herb and is a great native substitute for other types of mint.

Form
Perennial Herb
Height
0-0.5m
Flowering Time
  • Summer
  • Spring
Plant Origin
Local Native
Maintenance
  • Low
Light
  • Part Shade
  • Shade
Water Requirement
Medium
Tolerates
  • Heavy and Clay soil
  • Sandy Soil
  • Acidic Soils
Biodiversity Benefits
  • Birds
Natural Occurence
All states
Bush Tucker Plant
Yes