Elatine chilensis Plant Care
Elatine chilensis Gay
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Elatine chilensis is a species of flowering plant in the family Elatinaceae. According to Plants of the World Online, this species is native to Chile, Argentina and Bolivia, and has been introduced to the United States, specifically in Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington.
Every 2–4 days
Full sun to part shade
60–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Elatine chilensis?
Water Elatine chilensis every 2–4 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to part shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Elatine chilensis Native To?
What Is the Elatine chilensis?
Elatine chilensis (Elatine chilensis) belongs to the Elatinaceae family within the Elatine genus. Elatine chilensis is native to Chile, Argentina and Bolivia, and has been introduced to the United States, specifically in Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington.
Elatine chilensis displays a low mat-forming growth habit, reaching up to 0.1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Elatine chilensis produces small white or pink flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 0.5 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Elatine chilensis?
Elatine chilensis requires watering every 2–4 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 2–4 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Elatine chilensis Need?
Elatine chilensis thrives in full sun to part shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to part shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Elatine chilensis Prefer?
Elatine chilensis grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Elatine chilensis prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Elatine chilensis?
Moist, loamy soil with good drainage. Good drainage is essential for Elatine chilensis to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Elatine chilensis?
Feed Elatine chilensis every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Elatine chilensis?
Repot every 1-2 years in spring. 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 Elatine chilensis?
Elatine chilensis can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to greater waterwort plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Elatine chilensis Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Elatine chilensis, 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 Elatine chilensis?
Elatine chilensis is susceptible to aphids, spider mites. 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Elatine chilensis Need?
Elatine chilensis grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Elatine chilensis is native to Chile, Argentina and Bolivia, and has been introduced to the United States, specifically in Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington. In cooler regions, grow Elatine chilensis as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Elatine chilensis 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 Elatine genus — compare its care with other Elatine species on PlantoScan.
Elatine is part of the Elatinaceae plant family — browse all Elatinaceae genera and species.
Elatine chilensis thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Elatine Species
Other Elatine species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Elatine chilensis Gay, family Elatinaceae (first published in Fl. Chil. 1: 286 (1846)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Elatine chilensis, 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.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- 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.
Identify Plants Like the
Elatine chilensis Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species