About

A submerged, epiphytic, evergreen aquatic moss, with slender stems bearing linear dark green leaves. It is a relatively slow-growing, perennial, native to the British Isles and is an useful as an oxygenating plant for ponds and aquaria.

About the genus

Fontinalis are submerged aquatic mosses with slender stems bearing 3-ranked, dark olive-green leaves

Growing conditions

SunlightFull shade, Full sun, Partial shade
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
AspectEast-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7

Plant details

Plant typeAquatic
HabitSubmerged, Spreading branched, Clump forming, Matforming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesWildlife gardens

Care notes

CultivationGrows best in clear, clean, cold, water, in sun or shade. You can buy weighted bunches and tie them to a brick or stone; they will attach to the surface of rocks. Thrives in depths from 10cm to 90cm. Best grown in water with a neutral to acidic pH
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by division
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free