About

An aquatic or marginal, low-growing perennial forming a mat of small, variegated, kidney-shaped to rounded leaves with shallow lobes that are green with creamy-white margins. Tiny, inconspicuous, greenish flowers may be borne in small clusters 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