How to Grow and Care for pondweeds

Curly-leaf pondweed (Potamogeton crispus) is an invasive aquatic plant that forms dense mats on the surface of the water, depriving native plants of the sunlight and oxygen needed for growing. It spreads easily by seed and rhizomes, as plant pieces are broken off and regrow. Moves into new waters by clinging to boats, trailers and equipment.

Shining pondweed (Potamogeton lucens) is an aquatic perennial that is commonly found submerged in standing or slow-moving lakes or ponds. It is a great oxygen-providing plant for deep water, and its stems can grow from 2 to 5 m long. It produces creamy white flowers from summer to fall, and it can be propagated by stem cuttings in spring.

Floating pondweed (Potamogeton natans) also known as broad-leaved pondweed or floating-leaf pondweed grows in slow-moving arctic and subarctic freshwater. Its floating leaves are ovate and leathery while the submerged leaves are more grasslike. The flowering season runs from spring to fall.

Clasped pondweed is an excellent source of food for waterfowl and habitat for other wildlife. It is a commonly submerged plant in ponds and has been sold as an ornamental but can become weedy. The plant is native to much of the world and is listed in the Global Invasive Species Database.

Long-leaf pondweed is an aquatic, herbaceous perennial found in ponds and other still bodies of water throughout the world. As the common name suggests, this is a weed found in ponds that has long leaves (9 to 20 cm). The leaves help provide shade and cover for fish and other aquatic life.