Great Water Plantain
Alisma plantago-aquatica
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Pl. D55A — Alisma plantago-aquatica
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IOverview
Overview
Great Water Plantain (Alisma plantago-aquatica) is a perennial herb native to a wide range of regions including Europe, Asia, and Africa. It thrives in wet environments such as marshes and along the edges of ponds, making it an excellent choice for water gardens or bog areas. This plant can grow up to 0.9 meters tall and prefers light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay) soils with full sun exposure. Known for its edible leaves and roots, Great Water Plantain is hardy in zones 5-9, providing a versatile addition to both ornamental and culinary gardens. Its adaptability and ability to tolerate various soil conditions make it a valuable plant for gardeners seeking to enhance their landscape or utilize native plants in sustainable gardening practices.
Quick answers
What is Great Water Plantain?
Great Water Plantain (Alisma plantago-aquatica) is a perennial herb native to a wide range of regions including Europe, Asia, and Africa. It thrives in wet environments such as marshes and along the edges of ponds, making it an excellent choice for water gardens or bog areas.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Great Water Plantain thrives in full sun and prefers wet, waterlogged conditions. It adapts to various soil types—light (sandy), medium, and heavy (clay)—and is hardy in zones 5-9. This perennial grows up to 0.9 meters tall and can be propagated through division or seed sowing. The edible parts include the leaves and roots, making it a versatile addition to both culinary and garden settings.
Light
Full sun
Water
Wet, Water
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
5-9
Life cycle
Perennial
Mature size
0.9 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Great Water Plantain for the first time
8steps
Great Water Plantain is a hardy, easy-to-grow perennial that thrives in wet conditions and makes an excellent beginner plant.
- 1
What you'll need
Alisma plantago-aquatica plants or seeds, potting soil suitable for water-loving plants, containers with drainage holes.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring after the last frost or in early fall before the first freeze.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Use a container that is at least 15 cm deep. Fill it with well-draining soil mixed with sand for better water flow.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Transplant young plants from the nursery, spacing them about 30-45 cm apart in the container. Alternatively, sow seeds directly into the soil and cover lightly.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep the soil consistently moist during this period. Place the container in a sunny spot but avoid direct sunlight for the first few days to prevent shock.
- 6
Ongoing care
Ensure the plant receives full sun and plenty of water, keeping the soil consistently moist. Fertilize sparingly with a balanced liquid fertilizer every 4-6 weeks.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune dead leaves to maintain the plant's appearance and encourage new growth. Harvest young leaves for culinary use in late spring or early summer.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in poorly drained soil, neglecting to prune, not providing enough sunlight.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:LeavesRoot
Edible uses: The Great Water Plantain's leaves and roots are edible. Typically, the plant is harvested for its nutritious leaves, which can be eaten raw in salads or cooked as a vegetable. The starchy root can also be consumed, often boiled or roasted to enhance its flavor and texture.
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
95 native · 16 introduced
Distribution
95 native · 16 introducedDistribution across4 continents· 95 native· 16 introduced
Europe24 regions
native (24)AlbaniaAustriaBelarusBelgiumBulgariaDenmarkFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryIrelandItalyNetherlandsNorwayPolandPortugalRomaniaRussiaSpainSwedenSwitzerlandUkraineUnited Kingdom
Asia18 regions
native (18)AfghanistanBangladeshChinaIndiaIranIraqJapanKazakhstanMongoliaMyanmarNepalPakistanPalestineSouth KoreaThailandTurkeyUzbekistanVietnam
Americas1 region
introduced (1)United States
Africa13 regions
native (11)AlgeriaBurundiEgyptEritreaEthiopiaKenyaMoroccoRwandaSudanTanzaniaUganda
introduced (2)AngolaZimbabwe
Broader regions
native:Altay, Amur, Baltic States, Buryatiya, Chita, Czechoslovakia, East Aegean Is., East Himalaya, Irkutsk, Kamchatka, Khabarovsk, Kirgizstan, Krasnoyarsk, Kriti, Lebanon-Syria, Primorye, Sakhalin, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Turkey-in-Europe, Tuva, West Himalaya, Yakutskiya, Yugoslavia, Zaïre
introduced:Argentina South, Cape Provinces, Chile Central, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, New South Wales, New Zealand North, New Zealand South, Northern Provinces, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXI
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Back to the cataloguePlant id · d55a5097-b515-4e6f-9cda-44a01e48671d
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