Annual Water Minerslettuce
Montia fontana
- Native to:
- Albania, Aleutian Is., Algeria, Antipodean Is., Argentina, Australia, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Corse, Costa Rica, Crozet Is., Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, DR Congo, East Aegean Is., Ethiopia, Falkland Is., Finland, Føroyar, France, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Heard-McDonald Is., Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Kerguelen, Kriti, Kuril Is., Labrador, Lebanon-Syria, Macquarie Is., Marion-Prince Edward Is., Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Guinea, New Zealand, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Peru, Poland, Portugal, Prince Edward I., Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Sardegna, Sicilia, South Georgia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Uganda, United States, Uruguay
Abalg
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Montiaceae
- Genus:
- Montia
- Species:
- Montia fontana
- USDA Symbol:
- MOFO
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 30 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- white
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- waterfowl
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, nutrient-rich, loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- often found in wet, boggy areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–42 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best in cool, moist conditions. Light may enhance germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI