Alismataceae
Common Water Plantain
Alisma plantago-aquatica subsp. plantago-aquatica
Also known as Alisma plantago-aquatica var. fluitans, Alisma plantago-aquatica f. latifolium, Alisma heterophyllum, Alisma plantago-aquatica f. pumilum
Flowering Plants · Native Plants · Aquatic · Water-Garden · Marginal · Pond · Bog · Wetland · Medicinal · Perennial · Pollinator · Ornamental
Common Water Plantain is a widely distributed aquatic marginal plant perfect for pond edges, rain gardens, or bog plantings where the soil stays wet year-round. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and produces airy sprays of small white to pale pink flowers throughout summer that attract pollinators. Divide clumps every few years to maintain vigor and prevent overcrowding.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 6 hours
- Watering
- Keep roots submerged in up to 5 inches of water or in consistently saturated boggy conditions · Continuously moist to submerged
- Maintenance
- Moderate
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 6.3–7.5
- Temperature
- -40°F to 95°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
Hardiness
USDA 3a-9b
Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 12 in – 4 ft
- Spread
- 3 ft
- Spacing
- 18 in apart
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- Yes
- Foliage
- Medium
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Afghanistan, Alaska, Albania, Algeria, Altay, Amur, Angola, Argentina South, Austria, Baleares, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Burundi, Buryatiya, Cape Provinces, Central European Rus, Chile Central, China North-Central
- Attracts
- Bees, Butterflies, Moths
Sources: trefle, usda
More Alisma
Related plants from the same genus
Southern water-plantain
Alisma subcordatum
Partial Sun · High · Moderate
Water-plantain
Alisma plantago-aquatica
Full Sun · Moderate · Moderate
Narrow-leaf water-plantain
Alisma lanceolatum
Full Sun · Moderate · Moderate
Oriental Water Plantain
Alisma plantago-aquatica subsp. orientale
Full Sun · Moderate · Moderate
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