Lesser water-plantain (Baldellia ranunculoides) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Alisma ranunculoides, Echinodorus ranunculoides
Family
Alismataceae (water-plantain family)
Origin
Atlantic, Baltic and Mediterranean coasts of Europe, Turkey and North Africa
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
20 cm
Temperature
4–22°C
pH
6–7.5
Hardness
Soft to medium (estimate)
Care level
intermediate
Lighting
Full sun to medium light

Care

Lesser water-plantain (family Alismataceae) grows in wet coastal places along the Atlantic and Baltic coasts of western and northern Europe and the Mediterranean, including Britain. It has narrow leaves and flowering stems up to 10 cm above the water, carrying one to a few pale pink to white three-petalled flowers 1–1.5 cm across. Out of flower it can be mistaken for lesser spearwort. It is listed as Near Threatened globally. Wikipedia gives no aquarium or pond details; it is a small native plant for shallow pond margins and bog gardens, and can grow submerged in cool water. Buy only cultivated stock. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. As a European native it suits ponds and coldwater tanks better than tropical aquariums. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baldelliaranunculoides); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

By seed, or by dividing established clumps in spring.

Compatibility and tank mates

A small plant for ponds and coldwater tanks; goldfish may uproot or nibble it.

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

About Aquatic-Auctions

  • Aquatic-Auctions (aquatic-auctions.com) is a UK online marketplace for aquarium and pond livestock and equipment: tropical and marine fish, corals, shrimp, snails and other invertebrates, aquatic plants, tanks, filtration, lighting and food.
  • Items are sold by auction, buy it now or classified advert, by hobbyist and business sellers in the UK.
  • Buyers pay sellers directly; Aquatic-Auctions does not hold the money. Hobbyist sellers must offer PayPal and may also take cash on collection. Business sellers take PayPal (required) or cash on collection, and bank transfer only once they have a seller rating of 50 out of 100, a company and pet-selling licence checked by Aquatic-Auctions, a bank account in the company's name, and bank details approved by Aquatic-Auctions.
  • Buyers are told to pay by PayPal Goods & Services, never PayPal Friends and Family, gift cards or crypto.
  • Live fish and other vertebrates must be sent by specialist live-animal couriers (for example APC Overnight or DX Express), never by Royal Mail. Some invertebrates and plants may go by Royal Mail Special Delivery or 1st Class within its rules.
  • Banned and invasive species (for example those on the GB invasive species lists) cannot be listed, and sellers must meet the site’s animal welfare standards.
  • Members must be 16 or over to buy (16 and 17-year-olds with a parent or guardian’s agreement); sellers must be 18 or over.
  • Business sellers show their address, company details and pet-selling licence to buyers. Seller ratings run from 0 to 100: +1 for each positive feedback, −1 for each negative.
  • The site includes a free community species wiki with care guides (water parameters, tank size, diet, temperament, breeding).
  • Aquatic-Auctions is run by Etavonni Tech Limited trading as Aquatic-Auctions (company number 10204188), Aldershot, Hampshire, UK. Contact: info@aquatic-auctions.com.