Common Water-milfoil Plant Care
Hippuris vulgaris L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Hippuris vulgaris, known as mare's-tail or common mare's-tail, is a common aquatic flowering plant in the family Plantaginaceae. Its distribution ranges from Eurasia and North America to Greenland, the Tibetan Plateau and Arizona.
Every 1–2 days
Full sun to part shade
60–80°F
70–90%
At a glance
How do you care for Common Water-milfoil?
Water Common Water-milfoil every 1–2 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 70–90% humidity.
What Is the Common Water-milfoil?
Common Water-milfoil (Hippuris vulgaris) belongs to the Plantaginaceae family within the Hippuris genus. Common Water-milfoil is also known as Mare's-tail, Water-milfoil.
Common Water-milfoil displays a spreading aquatic perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Common Water-milfoil produces small inconspicuous flowers on spikes.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Common Water-milfoil?
Hippuris vulgaris requires watering every 1–2 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 1–2 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Common Water-milfoil Need?
Common Water-milfoil thrives in full sun to part shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to part shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Common Water-milfoil Prefer?
Hippuris vulgaris grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Common Water-milfoil prefers humidity levels of 70–90%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
70–90%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Common Water-milfoil?
Rich, loamy soil with good drainage. Good drainage is essential for Common Water-milfoil to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Common Water-milfoil?
Does not require repotting if grown in aquatic conditions. 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 Common Water-milfoil?
Common Water-milfoil can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to hippuris montana plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Common Water-milfoil Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Common Water-milfoil, 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 Common Water-milfoil?
Common Water-milfoil is susceptible to aphids, leafhoppers, 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 Common Water-milfoil Need?
Common Water-milfoil grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Common Water-milfoil as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Common Water-milfoil 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 Hippuris genus — compare its care with other Hippuris species on PlantoScan.
Hippuris is part of the Plantaginaceae plant family — browse all Plantaginaceae genera and species.
Common Water-milfoil 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: Hippuris vulgaris L., family Plantaginaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 4 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Common Water-milfoil, 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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