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.