Alisma plantago-aquatica

RHS Plant Profile
water plantain

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water plantain RHS 2002

Other common names

deil's spoons, devil's spoons, thumbwort, mad dog weed, dŵr-lyriad

Synonyms

Alisma plantago

Plants for pollinators
Aquatic
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A marginal aquatic perennial, forming rosettes of grey-green leaves to 30cm in length, with tall panicles of white flowers to 1.5cm across in late spring

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Poorly–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H7

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Alismataceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Tufted
Genus
Alisma are rhizomatous herbaceous perennials from wet habitats, with basal rosettes of long-stalked, elliptic leaves and open panicles of small white or pink flowers in spring
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow at pond margins in water up to 30cm deep. Deadhead regularly in order to prevent problems from self-seeding. See pond plants and bog gardens for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown as soon as ripe or by rhizome division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens

Pruning

Deadhead regularly in order to prevent problems from self-seeding

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free