TankBud

Water violet

Hottonia palustris

Also known as Featherfoil, Water featherfoil, European featherfoil

FreshwaterStemCuttingsDivision

Water violet (Hottonia palustris)
Svencapoeira · CC BY-SA 4.0

Care at a glance

Light
Medium light
CO2
No CO₂ needed
Temperature
50–72°F
10–22°C
Max height
15.7 in
40 cm
Growth rate
Medium
Placement
Midground
Type
Stem
pH
6.0–7.5
Hardness
2–15 dGH
Spread
3.9 in (10 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Root + water column
Growth region
Submersed or emersed
Difficulty
Medium
Family
Primulaceae
Origin
Native to ponds, ditches, and slow, clear waters across Europe and western Asia.

Overview

Water violet is a feathery stem plant for the midground of a coldwater tank. It is a plant of medium difficulty that grows submersed or emersed.

Did you know

In spring, established water violet pushes spikes of pale lilac flowers above the surface for pollination. The display is more often seen in ponds than in aquariums.

Caring for water violet

Strip the leaves from the lower part of each stem and push the stems into the substrate a little apart. Plant water violet in the midground, where nothing blocks its light.

Give it medium light and cool water, since it fades in warm tanks and in heavy shade. It does best in a coldwater setup at 50 to 72°F (10 to 22°C), and it needs no added CO2. It takes nutrients through both roots and leaves, so use root tabs near its roots along with a liquid fertilizer.

Water violet grows at a moderate pace. Trim the tops and replant them to keep neat, bushy groups, and the stumps left behind push new shoots. Split a large clump into smaller ones to get more plants.

Good to know

Water violet, Hottonia palustris, is a member of the primrose family, Primulaceae, and not a true violet despite its name. It is one of the few European aquatic plants in that family. Its upright stems carry whorls of finely divided, feathery bright green leaves. It is also sold as featherfoil or water featherfoil.

In the wild

Water violet grows in clear, cool ponds, ditches and slow waters across Europe and western Asia. Underwater it makes soft, bushy groups that catch the current.

Common questions

Does water violet need to be planted in the substrate?

Yes. Strip the leaves from the lower part of each stem, then push the stems into the substrate one at a time, a little apart.

Does water violet need CO2?

No. Water violet grows well without added CO2.

How much light does water violet need?

Water violet wants medium light. A light sold for planted tanks covers it.

Does water violet need root tabs?

They help. Water violet takes nutrients through both its roots and its leaves. Root tabs near its roots and a liquid fertilizer cover both.

How do you propagate water violet?

Water violet propagates by cuttings and division. Cut off the top of a stem and replant it, and the stump left behind grows new shoots. Split a large clump into smaller ones and plant them separately.

How tall does water violet grow?

Water violet grows to about 15.7 in (40 cm) tall. It grows at a moderate pace.

Related plants