Overview

Aldrovanda vesiculosa is a plant with a floating habit in the genus Aldrovanda, part of the Droseraceae family, with deciduous foliage. Aldrovanda vesiculosa grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and acid pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include aquatic carnivorous plant. It is native to Amur, Assam, Bangladesh, Belarus, Botswana, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central European Russia, Chad, Czechia-Slovakia, France, Germany, Ghana, Hungary, India, Inner Mongolia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Khabarovsk, Lesser Sunda Is., Madagascar, Manchuria, Mongolia, New South Wales, North Caucasus, Northern Territory, Northwest European Russia, NW. Balkan Pen., Poland, Primorye, Queensland, Romania, Rwanda, South European Russia, Sudan-South Sudan, Tanzania, Transcaucasus, Ukraine, Western Australia and Zambia.

About

Aldrovanda vesiculosa is a floating, aquatic carnivorous plant with deciduous foliage. It prefers full sun in a sheltered, south-facing position and grows in loamy, acidic substrate that is moist but well-drained. It is rated H5 in the UK and is most active through spring and summer.

About the genus

Aldrovanda is a genus of carnivorous plants encompassing one extant species: the waterwheel plant. It also covers numerous extinct taxa. The genus is named in honor of the Italian naturalist Ulisse Aldrovandi, the founder of the Botanical Garden of Bologna, Orto Botanico dell'Università di Bologna.

Wikipedia contributors, "Aldrovanda", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Aldrovanda

In the garden

Aldrovanda vesiculosa is a floating aquatic carnivore native across parts of Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia, including regions such as Poland, India, Japan and Queensland. As a specialist plant it occupies wet habitats and produces its foliage seasonally, with top growth present chiefly in spring and summer. Give it full sun and a sheltered, south-facing spot where wind and cold eddies are minimised. Use a loamy, acidic substrate and keep conditions consistently moist but well drained; avoid exposed, windy banks. It is rated H5 for the UK, so it is classed as hardy in many areas provided the planting site is sheltered from severe exposure. In a UK garden it suits a still, sunny pond or a dedicated water container where acidic loam can be provided and water movement is limited. Check placement for consistent sun and protection rather than sudden temperature swings. Expect visible foliage during the spring–summer growth period, with the plant’s shoots declining once the season ends.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Aldrovanda

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Loam

Soil pH

Acid

Soil moisture

Moist but well-drained

Aspect

South-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H5

Plant details

Aldrovanda vesiculosa size, habit and characteristics

Habit

Floating

Foliage

Deciduous

Suggested uses

Aquatic carnivorous plant

Native to

Amur, Assam, Bangladesh, Belarus, Botswana, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central European Russia, Chad, Czechia-Slovakia, France, Germany, Ghana, Hungary, India, Inner Mongolia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Khabarovsk, Lesser Sunda Is., Madagascar, Manchuria, Mongolia, New South Wales, North Caucasus, Northern Territory, Northwest European Russia, NW. Balkan Pen., Poland, Primorye, Queensland, Romania, Rwanda, South European Russia, Sudan-South Sudan, Tanzania, Transcaucasus, Ukraine, Western Australia, Zambia

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Aldrovanda vesiculosa

Propagation

Turions

Pest resistance

High

Disease resistance

High

Frequently asked questions