Floating Water-wort Plant Care
Ricciocarpos natans (L.) Corda
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Ricciocarpos natans is the only species in the genus Ricciocarpos, a genus of liverworts in the family Ricciaceae. It was formerly listed in 1759 as a species of Riccia by Linnaeus, but then assigned to a new genus of its own in 1829 by August Carl Joseph Corda.
Low to medium light
At a glance
How do you care for Floating Water-wort?
Floating Water-wort grows best in low to medium light.
What Is the Floating Water-wort?
Floating Water-wort (Ricciocarpos natans) belongs to the Ricciaceae family within the Ricciocarpos genus. Floating Water-wort is also known as Purple-veined Water-wort.
Floating Water-wort displays a low mat-forming growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Floating Water-wort produces tiny, inconspicuous flowers.
What Light Does the Floating Water-wort Need?
Floating Water-wort thrives in low to medium light. Avoid placing Floating Water-wort in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Low to medium light
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Floating Water-wort?
Moist, acidic soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Floating Water-wort to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Floating Water-wort?
Does not require repotting. 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 Floating Water-wort?
Floating Water-wort can be propagated through spores.
Is the Floating Water-wort Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Floating Water-wort, 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 Floating Water-wort?
Floating Water-wort is susceptible to not commonly affected by pests. 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
Floating Water-wort 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 Ricciocarpos genus — compare its care with other Ricciocarpos species on PlantoScan.
Ricciocarpos is part of the Ricciaceae plant family — browse all Ricciaceae genera and species.
Floating Water-wort copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Ricciocarpos natans (L.) Corda, family Ricciaceae (first published in Naturalientausch 12: 651 1829) — World Flora Online record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Floating Water-wort, 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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