Waterwort Plant Care
Elatine hexandra DC.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Elatine hexandra, the six-stamened waterwort, is a species of flowering plant in the family Elatinaceae, which grows in shallow water around lakes and pools in Europe from Ireland to Romania. It is declining due to drainage and water pollution and is therefore protected in several countries.
Every 2–4 days
Full sun to part shade
60–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Waterwort?
Water Waterwort 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.
What Is the Waterwort?
Waterwort (Elatine hexandra) belongs to the Elatinaceae family within the Elatine genus.
Waterwort displays a low mat-forming growth habit, reaching up to 0.1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Waterwort produces small white or pink flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 0.5 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Waterwort?
Elatine hexandra 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 Waterwort Need?
Waterwort thrives in full sun to part shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to part shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Waterwort Prefer?
Elatine hexandra grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Waterwort 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 Waterwort?
Moist, loamy soil with good drainage. Good drainage is essential for Waterwort to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Waterwort?
Feed Waterwort 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 Waterwort?
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 Waterwort?
Waterwort can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to greater waterwort plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Waterwort Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Waterwort, 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 Waterwort?
Waterwort 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 Waterwort Need?
Waterwort grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Waterwort as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Waterwort 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.
Waterwort 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 hexandra DC., family Elatinaceae (first published in Fl. Franç. , ed. 3, 5: 609 (1815)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Waterwort, 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.
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