Water Plantain

A native plant that is frequently found growing on the margins of canals, ponds and in other shallow, wet places in Ireland. Also known as devil’s spoons, Alisma plantago-aquatica is a small, rhizomatous perennial plant which forms basal, grey-green rosettes of 1’/30cm leaves. In spring, water plantain bears tall panicles of white flowers, ¾”/1.5cm across. You can dead-head to stop self-seeding, divide the rhizomes in spring to establish new colonies. An easy plant, pest- and disease-free. The flowers are good for pollinators. This plant tolerates exposure.

Position: Full sun
Planting depth: Poorly drained soil to 30cm (1’’) below water level.
Growth rate: Fast
Season of Interest: White flowers in spring
Hardiness: Exceptionally hardy
Size: 20-39” (50cm-1m) Spread: 4-20” (10-50cm) in 2-5 years

Photos by Manuel M.V. and Superior National Forest and licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Aquatic pot and compost variations

Aquatic plants come in a variety of pot and compost variations that have different benefits for planting and growing.

Mesh Pot | (Aquatic Compost)
Pot can be removed and plant can be planted directly into soil or margins above or below the water line. Pot and plant can also be placed directly into water to be container grown, but will still need repotting in time.

Pot AQ | (Aquatic Compost)
Pot must be removed and plant should be planted directly into soil or margins above or below the water line.

Pot | (Regular Compost)
Pot must be removed and plant should be planted directly into soil or margins above the water line. Cannot be planted directly into soil below the water line.