Species Vernal Water Starwort
light-green leaves

Vernal Water Starwort

Callitriche palustris

Vernal Water Starwort (Callitriche palustris) is a small, semi-aquatic perennial plant found in shallow, still/slow-moving warm to cool water. It is named after its star-shaped leaves, which are deep green above and light green below, with each leaf 3-10 mm across. It flowers from June to September and its flowers are composed of tiny white petals surrounded by 4-6 sepals. It is native to Europe and is part of the plantain family.

Watering:

Minimal

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Clonal Propagation,Asexual Reproduction

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Vernal Water Starwort should be watered every 2-3 days. It grows in very moist conditions and doesn’t like dry soil, so you should water it more often than other types of plants. The best time to water the Vernal Water Starwort is early in the morning. When watering, add enough water to soak the soil, but don’t leave it sitting in standing water. Do not let the soil become too dry between waterings as this could harm the plant.

sunlight

Vernal Water Starwort (Callitriche palustris) requires 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day to thrive. For best results, the plant should receive full sun in the morning until midday, followed by partial shade in the afternoon. In areas with intense midday sun, complete shade in the afternoon may be beneficial. Additionally, artificial light may be necessary for growth in areas with less than 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.

pruning

Vernal Water Starwort (Callitriche palustris) should be pruned back once a year in late winter or early spring, before the new growth begins. Pruning should involve cutting the stems close to the ground and removing any dead or damaged foliage. Doing this will help the plant to remain vigorous and healthy. It is important to note that Vernal Water Starwort is a particularly fast-growing species, and gardeners should prepare to prune it back regularly. Pruning the plant will also encourage the growth of new foliage and enhance the health and longevity of the plant.