Western waterweed (Elodea occidentalis) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Elodea nuttallii, Nuttall's waterweed, Western waterweed, Anacharis nuttallii, Elodea columbiana
Family
Hydrocharitaceae (frogbit family)
Origin
Temperate North America; naturalised in Europe (including England) and Japan
Water
freshwater
Temperature
5–24°C
pH
6.5–8.5
Hardness
5–20 dGH
Care level
beginner
Lighting
Moderate light; CO2 not needed

Care

Legal note: this plant may not be sold on Aquatic-Auctions to buyers in Great Britain. It is on the GB list of invasive species (check GOV.UK for the current rules). Elodea occidentalis is not a separately recognised species: Wikipedia redirects the name to Elodea nuttallii, so it is treated here as that plant, and the GB legal note above applies. The page key keeps the listed name. It is a native of temperate North America. It is a perennial, fully submerged waterweed of lakes, rivers and other shallow fresh water, with thin, branching stems and whorls of usually three or four narrow, pointed leaves, some curved or twisted. Tiny flowers appear from May to October. Almost all plants in Europe are female. It has been naturalised in Europe since 1939 (it was found in England from at least the 1970s, possibly 1914) and in Japan since the 1960s, and in many places it is pushing out Canadian pondweed. The EU lists it as an invasive alien species of Union concern, so it may not be imported, bred, transported, sold or released there. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. As a temperate plant it suits coldwater conditions, not tropical tanks. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elodeaoccidentalis); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elodeanuttallii); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Spreads from stem fragments, which root easily; this is why it must never be dumped in drains, ponds or waterways.

Compatibility and tank mates

A soft waterweed that goldfish and plant-eating snails eat. Do not keep or trade it where the law forbids 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.