Elatine minima Plant Care
Elatine minima (Nutt.) Fisch. & C.A.Mey.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Elatine minima is a species of flowering plant in the family Elatinaceae, native to eastern Canada, the north-central United States, the northeastern United States, and the southeastern United States. It was first described by Thomas Nuttall in 1817 as Crypta minima and transferred to Elatine in 1836.
Every 2–4 days
Full sun to part shade
60–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Elatine minima?
Water Elatine minima 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 minima Native To?
What Is the Elatine minima?
Elatine minima (Elatine minima) belongs to the Elatinaceae family within the Elatine genus. Elatine minima is native to eastern Canada, the north-central United States, the northeastern United States, and the southeastern United States.
Elatine minima displays a low mat-forming growth habit, reaching up to 0.1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Elatine minima produces small white or pink flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 0.5 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Elatine minima?
Elatine minima 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 minima Need?
Elatine minima thrives in full sun to part shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to part shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Elatine minima Prefer?
Elatine minima grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Elatine minima 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 minima?
Moist, loamy soil with good drainage. Good drainage is essential for Elatine minima to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Elatine minima?
Feed Elatine minima 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 minima?
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 minima?
Elatine minima can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to greater waterwort plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Elatine minima Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Elatine minima, 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 minima?
Elatine minima 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 minima Need?
Elatine minima grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Elatine minima is native to eastern Canada, the north-central United States, the northeastern United States, and the southeastern United States. In cooler regions, grow Elatine minima as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Elatine minima 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 minima 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 minima (Nutt.) Fisch. & C.A.Mey., family Elatinaceae (first published in Linnaea 10: 73 (1836)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Elatine minima, 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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