Waterwheel Plant Plant Care
Aldrovanda vesiculosa L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Aldrovanda vesiculosa, commonly known as the waterwheel plant, is the sole extant species in the flowering plant genus Aldrovanda of the family Droseraceae. The plant captures small aquatic invertebrates using traps similar to those of the Venus flytrap.
Full sun to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Waterwheel Plant?
Waterwheel Plant grows best in full sun to partial shade.
What Is the Waterwheel Plant?
Waterwheel Plant (Aldrovanda vesiculosa) belongs to the Droseraceae family within the Aldrovanda genus. Waterwheel Plant is also known as Aldrovanda.
Waterwheel Plant displays a floating aquatic plant growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Waterwheel Plant produces small, white, carnivorous trap-like structures.
What Light Does the Waterwheel Plant Need?
Waterwheel Plant thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Waterwheel Plant?
Nutrient-poor, acidic peat moss with sand and perlite. Good drainage is essential for Waterwheel Plant to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Waterwheel Plant?
Does not require traditional potting, keep in a water garden. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Waterwheel Plant?
Waterwheel Plant can be propagated through division, turions.
Is the Waterwheel Plant Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Waterwheel Plant, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Waterwheel Plant?
Waterwheel Plant is susceptible to no common pests known. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
Keep exploring plants
Waterwheel Plant is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Aldrovanda genus — compare its care with other Aldrovanda species on PlantoScan.
Aldrovanda is part of the Droseraceae plant family — browse all Droseraceae genera and species.
Waterwheel Plant thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Aldrovanda vesiculosa L., family Droseraceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 281 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Waterwheel Plant, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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