American water plantain (Alisma subcordatum) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Alisma plantago-aquatica subsp. subcordatum, Alisma parviflorum
Family
Alismataceae (water-plantain family)
Origin
Eastern and central USA and Canada
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
90 cm
Temperature
4–24°C
pH
6–8
Hardness
Tolerant (estimate)
Care level
intermediate
Lighting
Full sun to part shade (pond marginal)

Care

American water plantain (family Alismataceae) is a perennial of mud in still or slow water, seeps and wetlands across eastern and central North America. It grows from bulb-like corms, reaching about 90 cm, with lance- to oval leaves held above the water and white to pink flowers from June to September. Leaves formed underwater are weak and soon rot, so it is a pond marginal, not an aquarium plant. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. It is a temperate plant for ponds rather than tropical tanks. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alismasubcordatum); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

By seed, which water-plantains set freely, or by dividing the base of mature plants in spring.

Compatibility and tank mates

Pond fish generally leave water-plantains alone, though koi may root around the baskets. Not suitable for tropical aquariums.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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