Perfoliate pondweed (Potamogeton perfoliatus) care guide

Group

Plants

Other names

Claspingleaf pondweed, Redhead grass

Family

Potamogetonaceae (pondweed family)

Origin

All continents except South America and Antarctica, including Britain

Water

freshwater

Maximum size

300 cm

Temperature

4–24°C

pH

6.5–8.5

Care level

intermediate

Lighting

Medium to high light; CO2 helpful

Flow

Copes with moderate flow

Care

Perfoliate pondweed is a widespread submerged pondweed of lakes, rivers, streams, canals and ditches. Round stems up to 3 m long grow from a creeping rhizome, and the oval, stalkless leaves (2–11.5 cm) wrap around the stem, giving the plant its name. It has no floating leaves. It copes with current better than most broad-leaved pondweeds and can even grow in slightly brackish estuaries, though salt slows it. Wikipedia calls it attractive and easy in a garden pond or barrel, rooted in sand or aquatic compost and weighted down at first. It does best in water over 1 m deep and cannot stand drying out. It is a temperate plant for ponds and large coldwater tanks and does poorly in heated tanks. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potamogetonperfoliatus); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Divide the rhizomes; stem cuttings root poorly. Seed sown in shallow water, uncovered or barely covered, usually sprouts in about 10 days.

Compatibility and tank mates

Young plants need protecting from fish; goldfish and koi graze it. Suits ponds and coldwater set-ups.

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