Floating Pondweed
Potamogeton natans
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, East Aegean Is., Finland, Føroyar, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Korea, Krym, Kuril Is., Labrador, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Prince Edward I., Romania, Russia, Sardegna, Sicilia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Türkiye, Ukraine, United States, Uzbekistan, Yemen
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Potamogetonaceae
- Genus:
- Potamogeton
- Species:
- Potamogeton natans
- USDA Symbol:
- PONA4
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Aquatic
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- green
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Parapoynx obscuralis
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- waterfowl, fish, aquatic invertebrates
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, organic, silty or clay soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Typically found in still or slow-moving freshwater bodies.
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best when submerged in shallow water after cold stratification. Light not required.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI