Kidneyleaf mud-plantain (Heteranthera reniformis) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Kidneyleaf mud-plantain, Mud plantain, Heteranthera acuta, Leptanthus reniformis
Family
Pontederiaceae (pickerelweed family)
Origin
The Americas, including North America
Water
freshwater
Care level
intermediate

Care

A mud plantain of the pickerelweed family from the Americas, named for its kidney-shaped leaves. It is rare in parts of the USA: believed lost from Connecticut and listed as endangered in Illinois and Ohio. Our sources give no detail on its habit or aquarium use. Mud plantains grow in water or on wet mud and often have floating, rounded leaves, so this species is best treated as a creeping plant for shallow water, ponds or paludariums. Water figures are not given by the sources. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heterantherareniformis); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Not covered by our sources; creeping stems of mud plantains usually root where they touch the mud, so cuttings should work.

Compatibility and tank mates

Not covered by our sources.

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

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