Cape pondweed (Aponogeton distachyos) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Water hawthorn, Waterblommetjie, Cape pond weed, Vleikos
Family
Aponogetonaceae (cape-pondweed family)
Origin
South Africa (Western Cape, Mpumalanga)
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
100 cm
Temperature
4–22°C
pH
6–7.5
Hardness
Tolerant (estimate)
Care level
beginner
Lighting
Full sun to part shade (pond)
Flow
Still water

Care

Cape pondweed or water hawthorn is a South African Aponogeton from ponds and vleis in the Western Cape and Mpumalanga. It grows from a tuberous rhizome, rests in the dry summer and regrows when autumn rains return. Its narrow oval leaves, 6–25 cm long, float on the surface on stalks up to 1 m, and its sweetly scented, forked white flower spikes with dark stamens sit just above the water. It is a hardy pond plant, not an aquarium plant. Wikipedia suggests planting about 45 cm deep in full sun or part shade. In the UK it flowers mostly in spring and autumn with a midsummer pause; in deeper water dormant plants survive winter on the bottom, or tubers can be lifted in very cold areas. In South Africa its buds and flowers are eaten in waterblommetjiebredie stew. It has naturalised in Australia, France, England and California. Never release this plant or dispose of it in drains or waterways; it is invasive in some countries. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. It suits outdoor ponds and is unsuitable for tropical tanks. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aponogetondistachyos); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Divide the tubers in late spring to summer. Seeds float off the flower spikes; sow in spring in about 3 cm of water at about 20 °C. They germinate in one to two months; keep seedlings in shallow water for their first year.

Compatibility and tank mates

A pond plant. Goldfish and koi may nibble the floating leaves but rarely harm established plants.

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

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