Species northern water plantain
Green stems, and small white flowers and green leaves.

northern water plantain

Alisma triviale

Also Known As - Water Plantain
Northern water plantain (Alisma triviale) is a stunningly beautiful specimen. When it blooms from summer through early autumn, it has tall, slender stalks with small white flowers that cap the top, standing elegantly among all the other aquatic plants. It's amazing for its ability to colonize, helping increase the population and bio-diversity of aquatic environments. Its highly adaptable and will thrive in any water type, from slow moving ponds to streams and rivers. Furthermore, its leaves are edible and have a strong, nutty taste and its seeds are rich in starch and carbohydrates, which make them an important source of food for both people and animals. Northern water plantain is an amazing species that could help support and sustain whole aquatic ecosystems.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Division,Seed Propagation,Stem Propagation,Root Cutting,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

5 - 10

Flowers:

White Flowers

Sun:

full sun,part sun/part shade

Soil:

Sandy Loamy Clay Humus

Fruits:

brown,black Fruits Ready In

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

watering

Northern water plantain (Alisma triviale) grows best in moist soil and enjoys frequent watering. During the active growing season, water the plant every 1-2 days or as necessary to keep the soil consistently moist. In the early spring and late fall, water once every 4-6 days when rainfall is minimal. In the winter, water sparingly, only when the soil begins to dry out. When watering, use lukewarm or room temperature water for better absorption.

sunlight

Northern water plantain (Alisma triviale) typically prefers full sun and moist soils. In more northern locations, where temperatures are cooler, northern water plantain can tolerate light shade, however it will generally flower and set seed better when given full sun. Plantains grown in full shade will have fewer and much smaller flowers. Northern water plantain should receive 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight a day in order to produce the best growth and flowering. If grown in cooler climates with short periods of sunlight, northern water plantain will benefit from receiving a supplemental lighting system of 8 to 10 hours per day.

pruning

Pruning of northern water plantain (Alisma triviale) should be done when the plant begins to look overgrown or disheveled. Pruning should be done in early summer or late spring, as this will help stimulate new growth and encourage blooming. Prune lightly, only removing any dead stems or faded flowers. Keep stems that are still vibrant, such as those with buds or flowers, and cut them down to the desired height. Overall, keep pruning to a minimum, as too aggressive of pruning can lead to shock and the plant may not recover.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Alisma triviale (northern water plantain) typically begins in July and continues through September.

Starts Flowering

Northern water plantain typically starts flowering in June.

Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Alisma triviale (northern water plantain) typically begins in July and continues through September.

Hardiness Map