Waterweed Plant Care
Mayaca fluviatilis Aubl.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Mayaca fluviatilis, also known as bog moss, is a perennial herbaceous submerged plant in the monogeneric family Mayacaceae. It is native to Central and South America, the Caribbean, and the United States where it is often sold as an aquarium plant.
Bright indirect light
At a glance
How do you care for Waterweed?
Waterweed grows best in bright indirect light.
Where Is the Waterweed Native To?
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Aruba
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Cayman Islands
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Cuba
- Curaçao
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- French Guiana
- Grenada
- Guadeloupe
- Guatemala
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Jamaica
- Martinique
- Nicaragua
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Puerto Rico
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Suriname
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- United States
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
- Virgin Islands, British
- Virgin Islands, U.S.
What Is the Waterweed?
Waterweed (Mayaca fluviatilis) belongs to the Mayacaceae family within the Mayaca genus. Waterweed is native to Central and South America, the Caribbean, and the United States. Waterweed is also known as Stream Mayaca.
Waterweed displays a creeping, mat-forming growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Waterweed produces small inconspicuous flowers.
What Light Does the Waterweed Need?
Waterweed thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Waterweed in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Waterweed?
Rich, acidic soil with good moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Waterweed to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Waterweed?
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 Waterweed?
Waterweed can be propagated through division, stem cuttings.
Is the Waterweed Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Waterweed, 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 Waterweed?
Waterweed 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.
Keep exploring plants
Waterweed 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 Mayaca genus — compare its care with other Mayaca species on PlantoScan.
Mayaca is part of the Mayacaceae plant family — browse all Mayacaceae genera and species.
Waterweed 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: Mayaca fluviatilis Aubl., family Mayacaceae (first published in Hist. Pl. Guiane 1: 42 (1775)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Waterweed, 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.
- 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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