Northern water plantain (Alisma triviale) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Alisma brevipes
Family
Alismataceae (water-plantain family)
Origin
Canada, USA and northern Mexico
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
90 cm
Temperature
4–22°C
pH
6–8
Hardness
Tolerant (estimate)
Care level
intermediate
Lighting
Full sun to part shade (pond marginal)

Care

Northern water plantain (family Alismataceae) is a semi-aquatic perennial of shallow water and mud in Canada, the United States and northern Mexico. It forms clumps of long-stalked, narrow to lance-shaped leaves and grows 30–90 cm tall, with white or pink-tinged three-petalled flowers. It is a pond marginal. Our sources say nothing about growing it submerged. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. It is a cold-hardy plant for ponds, not tropical tanks. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alismatriviale); 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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