About
An aquatic or marginal, low-growing, creeping perennial forming a dense mat of small, kidney-shaped to rounded, shallowly-lobed leaves with toothed margins. Small clusters of tiny, greenish flowers may be borne from late spring into summer.
About the genus
A genus of aquatic or semi-aquatic horizontal plants which can be found in ponds, lakes, rivers, marshes and sometimes coastal areas. They form mats of long, creeping stems and clusters of pale green to pink flowers on upright spikes
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisturePoorly-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeAquatic, Herbaceous Perennial
HabitMatforming, Submerged, Floating
FoliageDeciduous
HeightUp to 10 cm
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesPonds, water features, bog gardens.
Care notes
CultivationGrow in full sun or partial shade in moisture-retentive soils in bog gardens or at pond margins or grow shallowly submerged in water up to 25cm deep. See pond plants and bog gardens for further advice
PruningCut back regularly to control spread
PropagationPropagate by division
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to mint rust