Channelled water plantain (Alisma canaliculatum) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Alisma plantago-aquatica var. canaliculatum, Alisma rariflorum, Alisma manchukuense
Family
Alismataceae (water-plantain family)
Origin
Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Kuril and Ryukyu islands, eastern China
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
50 cm
Temperature
5–24°C
pH
6–8
Hardness
Tolerant (estimate)
Care level
intermediate
Lighting
Full sun to part shade (pond marginal)

Care

Channelled water plantain is a perennial water-plantain (family Alismataceae) from Japan, Korea, Taiwan, the Kuril and Ryukyu islands and much of eastern China. It grows from tubers up to 3 cm across and has narrow, lance-shaped leaves up to 50 cm long, with branched sprays of white flowers. Wikipedia gives no habitat details and nothing on aquarium use. Like other water-plantains it is a marginal plant for shallow water at pond edges; it is unlikely to thrive submerged in a tropical tank. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. It is a temperate plant better suited to ponds than to heated aquariums. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alismacanaliculatum); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

By seed, or by separating the tubers.

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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