Water soldier (Stratiotes aloides) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Water soldiers, Water aloe
Family
Hydrocharitaceae (frogbit family)
Origin
Europe (including Britain) and north-west Asia
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
40 cm
Temperature
4–22°C
pH
7–8.5
Hardness
10–25 dGH
Care level
intermediate
Lighting
High light (full sun in ponds); CO2 not needed

Care

Stratiotes aloides (water soldier) is a rosette of stiff, sharply toothed, aloe-like leaves from calcium-rich waters of Europe and north-west Asia. It spends much of the year submerged and rises to the surface around flowering time in summer; the rise and fall may be linked to changing deposits of calcium carbonate on the leaves. The leaves are brittle and break easily, and the teeth can cut hands, so handle it with care. It is a classic plant for cool-water ponds and also kept in large unheated aquaria in Europe. It is very winter-hardy and wants hard, alkaline water. Leave it free-floating in a pond in full sun; in a tank it needs plenty of space and strong light. It does poorly in warm tropical aquaria. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. It is on an Ontario invasive-species list. Never release this plant or dispose of it in drains or waterways; it is invasive in some countries. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stratiotes); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Mainly by offsets: each plant sends out side shoots that grow into new rosettes, often five or more per plant, which can be separated. In Britain male plants are almost unknown and seed is not produced, so all propagation is vegetative.

Compatibility and tank mates

A pond or coldwater-tank plant; not for tropical tanks. Goldfish and koi tend to leave the tough leaves alone. The sharp leaf edges can scratch delicate fish, so give it space.

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

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