American Quillwort Plant Care
Littorella americana Fernald
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Littorella americana Is a species of flowering plant commonly called American shore plantain. It is a small aquatic plant native to Newfoundland and Nova Scotia to Minnesota.
Every 2–3 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for American Quillwort?
Water American Quillwort every 2–3 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–70% humidity.
Where Is the American Quillwort Native To?
What Is the American Quillwort?
American Quillwort (Littorella americana) belongs to the Plantaginaceae family within the Littorella genus. American Quillwort is native to Newfoundland and Nova Scotia to Minnesota.
American Quillwort displays a low mat-forming groundcover growth habit, reaching up to 0.1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. American Quillwort produces small inconspicuous flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.
How Often Should You Water a American Quillwort?
Littorella americana requires watering every 2–3 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 2–3 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the American Quillwort Need?
American Quillwort thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the American Quillwort Prefer?
Littorella americana grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. American Quillwort prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a American Quillwort?
Sandy, moist soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for American Quillwort to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a American Quillwort?
Divide and replant every 2-3 years in early 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 American Quillwort?
American Quillwort can be propagated through seeds, division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to shoreweed plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the American Quillwort Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list American Quillwort, 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 American Quillwort?
American Quillwort is susceptible to no common pests known. 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 American Quillwort Need?
American Quillwort grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. American Quillwort is native to Newfoundland and Nova Scotia to Minnesota. In cooler regions, grow American Quillwort as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
American Quillwort 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 Littorella genus — compare its care with other Littorella species on PlantoScan.
Littorella is part of the Plantaginaceae plant family — browse all Plantaginaceae genera and species.
American Quillwort 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: Littorella americana Fernald, family Plantaginaceae (first published in Rhodora 20: 62 (1918)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list American Quillwort, 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 12a, 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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