About
Callitriche palustris is an evergreen aquatic perennial that forms dense mats, growing up to 10 cm tall while spreading widely across water bodies. This species showcases narrow, vibrant green submerged leaves alongside wider floating leaves. In summer, it produces subtle greenish-white flowers that are not easily noticed.
About the genus
Callitriche comprises perennial plants that can thrive in terrestrial or aquatic environments. They feature slender stems and either linear or spoon-shaped foliage. During the summer months, they produce small flowers, making them effective oxygenators for ponds.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full shade, Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Poorly-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
- Plant type
- Aquatic, Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Matforming, Submerged
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- Up to 10cm
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Thrives in shallow aquatic habitats like ponds, lakes, slow-moving streams, and marshes, preferring sheltered positions in full sun to partial shade in consistently moist or submerged conditions
- Pruning
- No pruning required, limit spread as required
- Propagation
- Propagate by division
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free