Photo: Stanislav MurashkinCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Water-weed Plant Care
Hydrilla verticillata (Roxb.) Royle
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Hydrilla verticillata is easily recognized by its whorled, narrow leaves and submerged growth habit. It originates from Asia and has become invasive in many parts of the world. Plant collectors are drawn to its ability to oxygenate water and provide habitat for aquatic creatures.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
60–80%
At a glance
How do you care for Water-weed?
Water Water-weed every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 60–80% humidity. Fertilize it every month during the growing season.
Where Is the Water-weed Native To?
- Algeria
- Angola
- Australia
- Benin
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Djibouti
- DR Congo
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Kenya
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Republic of the Congo
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Tanzania
- The Gambia
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
What Is the Water-weed?
Water-weed (Hydrilla verticillata) belongs to the Hydrocharitaceae family within the Hydrilla genus. Water-weed is native to the cool and warm waters of the Old World in Asia, Africa, and Australia, with a sparse, scattered distribution. Water-weed is also known as Hydrilla, Egeria.
Water-weed displays a submersed aquatic plant growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Water-weed produces small, inconspicuous flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Water-weed?
Hydrilla verticillata requires watering every 7–14 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 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Water-weed Need?
Water-weed thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Water-weed Prefer?
Hydrilla verticillata grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Water-weed prefers humidity levels of 60–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
60–80%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Water-weed?
Silt or clay loam with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Water-weed to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Water-weed?
Feed Water-weed every month 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 month
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Water-weed?
Not applicable, 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 Water-weed?
Water-weed can be propagated through fragmentation, turions, tubers.
Is the Water-weed Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Water-weed, 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 Water-weed?
Water-weed is susceptible to algae, aquatic weeds. 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 Water-weed Need?
Water-weed grows outdoors in USDA Zone 4a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 4a. Water-weed is native to the cool and warm waters of the Old World in Asia, Africa, and Australia, with a sparse, scattered distribution.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 4a – 11b
Keep exploring plants
Water-weed 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 Hydrilla genus — compare its care with other Hydrilla species on PlantoScan.
Hydrilla is part of the Hydrocharitaceae plant family — browse all Hydrocharitaceae genera and species.
Water-weed 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: Hydrilla verticillata (Roxb.) Royle, family Hydrocharitaceae (first published in Ill. Bot. Himal. Mts. [Royle] 376. 1839 [Feb 1839]) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Water-weed, 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.
- Photo: Stanislav Murashkin, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 4a – 11b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- 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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