Hornwort Plant Care
Ceratophyllum echinatum A.Gray
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Ceratophyllum echinatum, known as prickly hornwort, spiny hornwort, or spiny coontail, is an aquatic, perennial plant found in North America. Its name comes from fruits, which have a warty surface and long spines.
Full sun to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Hornwort?
Hornwort grows best in full sun to partial shade.
Where Is the Hornwort Native To?
What Is the Hornwort?
Hornwort (Ceratophyllum echinatum) belongs to the Ceratophyllaceae family within the Ceratophyllum genus. Hornwort is native to North America. Hornwort is also known as Coontail.
Hornwort displays a submerged aquatic plant growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Hornwort produces inconspicuous flowers, rarely produced.
What Light Does the Hornwort Need?
Hornwort thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Hornwort?
Nutrient-rich, loamy soil with good drainage. Good drainage is essential for Hornwort to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Hornwort?
Does not require traditional potting, grows submerged in water. 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 Hornwort?
Hornwort can be propagated through vegetative propagation through stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to spiny hornwort plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Hornwort Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Hornwort, 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 Hornwort?
Hornwort is susceptible to generally pest-free. 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
Hornwort 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 Ceratophyllum genus — compare its care with other Ceratophyllum species on PlantoScan.
Ceratophyllum is part of the Ceratophyllaceae plant family — browse all Ceratophyllaceae genera and species.
Hornwort 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: Ceratophyllum echinatum A.Gray, family Ceratophyllaceae (first published in Manual : 401 (1848)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Hornwort, 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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