Eurasia (including Britain) and northern North America
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
8 cm
Temperature
2–18°C
pH
5.5–7
Hardness
0–6 dGH
Care level
expert
Lighting
Medium to high light
Care
Subularia aquatica (water awlwort) is a small submerged member of the cabbage family that grows from a corm in shallow, cold ponds, lake margins and peaty pools, often on sand or gravel. It forms a little tuft of cylindrical, awl-shaped leaves tapering to a sharp point, and tiny white flowers about 1 mm long. Flowers held above water open; those that stay submerged remain closed and pollinate themselves. Our sources do not cover aquarium care. It is a cold-water plant of nutrient-poor water and is very unlikely to thrive in heated tanks. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subulariaaquatica); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.
Breeding
By seed: the plant self-pollinates even underwater and forms tiny inflated pods.
Compatibility and tank mates
Only for coldwater set-ups with soft, clean water; unsuitable for tropical tanks. Small and delicate, so keep it away from digging or grazing fish.
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.