Water milfoil (Hippuris vulgaris): hardy marsh plant for pond and basin
A graphic plant, ultra-hardy... and all seasons
Water milfoil forms superb clusters of upright stems that evoke small miniature fir trees. Totally amphibious, it grows submerged and emergent, gently colonizing the shallow areas of ponds and basins.
Hardy down to about -30 °C, it stays outside all year and structures the landscape even in winter. The stems can exceed the surface by 35 to 40 cm and the plant establishes at depths up to about 40 cm. It is a pond plant of disarming ease!
Why choose water milfoil?
- Incredibly hardy: ideal for all European climates, it withstands frost down to -30°C!
- Unique silhouette: very decorative "fir tree" stems, strong visual marker.
- Refuge for wildlife: shelter for fry, resting areas for frogs, perch for dragonflies.
- Light maintenance: spreads on its own by creeping rhizome. Easy trimming and control.
- Versatile: wet bank, shallow submerged, marshy area... it suits all.
- Clean water: helps stabilize and naturally green the water body with its sharp colors, and fights algae by its rapid consumption of nitrates.
Planting and cultivation tips
- Location: very wet bank from 0 to 40 cm water depth (marshy area).
- Substrate: plant the rhizome with the roots in the soil. Clayey or sandy soil, it suits all.
- Light: sun to partial shade. The emergent part will just be leafier in full light.
- Maintenance: simply pull out a few rhizomes if the clump becomes too dense or if it spreads more than you want.
- Compatibilities: perfect in natural marshes, ornamental ponds, deep poubellarium.
- Flowering/seeds: discreet flowers. Seeds fall at the end of the season, but reproduction happens anyway through the rhizomes.
- Current: water milfoil prefers calm waters.
Possible uses of water milfoil
- Pond and marsh: creation of a natural marsh curtain and refuge for all kinds of biodiversity.
- Wet edges: very aesthetic link between water and bank, with stems gradually emerging up to the shore.
- Educational ponds: local plant, easy landmark to observe wildlife: there is always something to observe in the water milfoil clusters!
FAQ - Water milfoil (Hippuris vulgaris)
Does it survive winter outdoors?
Yes, it is one of the hardiest: it overwinters without any protection under our climates.
At what depth should it be planted?
From the wet bank up to about 40 cm of water. Beyond that, it weakens and exhausts itself trying to reach the surface.
Is it invasive?
It spreads by rhizome over time but is very easily controlled by pulling or thinning. It does not spread uncontrollably.
Is it suitable for the aquarium?
It is mainly a pond or marsh plant. In tropical aquariums, it is poorly suited for the long term, even if it can create a nice effect.
How to differentiate it from curly water milfoil?
Water milfoil has regular whorls and a deep green sometimes bluish color. Its emerged "fir tree" stems are very characteristic. The curly water milfoil easily reddens and its stems are a bit less upright. But the two plants look alike.
Additional information
- Scientific name: Hippuris vulgaris
- Plant type: water milfoil marsh plant with rhizome
- Light: sun to partial shade, very tolerant.
- Temperature: -30 to +30°C! It is completely comfortable under European climates.
- Size: 20 to 40 cm above the surface, maximum 40 cm underwater.
- Packaging: 1 stem with roots (indicative weight: 20 g).
- Guarantee: without rock wool or any artificial substrate of any kind. No plant is taken from the wild.
- Recommendation: as a precautionary principle, please never release this plant into the wild. Even though it is naturally found in our regions, our ecosystems are fragile and must be preserved.
