Water hawthorn (Aponogeton distachyos)
Water hawthorn (Aponogeton distachyos) is an aquatic plant that can grow up to 10cm tall and 50cm – 1.5m wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Water hawthorn (Aponogeton distachyos).
This plant has several common names including: water hawthorn, water hyacinth, Cape asparagus, Cape pondweed, hawthorn-scented pondweed or winter hawthorn.
This is a deciduous plant that takes 5-10 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: water hawthorn, water hyacinth, Cape asparagus, Cape pondweed, hawthorn-scented pondweed, winter hawthorn
Scientific name: Aponogeton distachyos
Plant type: Aquatic
Habit: Floating
Height: Up to 10cm
Spread: 50cm – 1.5m
Foliage: Deciduous
Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial shade
Soil: Clay, Loam, Sand
Moisture: Poorly drained
Garden type: Sub-tropical
Seasonal colors
| Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
How to plant Water hawthorn (Aponogeton distachyos) – Greenplanet.co.za, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Whether small or large, formal or informal, every garden has space for an aquatic element. The sound and reflective qualities of water have long been used to add interest to gardens.
A pond, fountain or even a smaller water container greatly increases the variety of plants you can grow. In addition, they also encourage a wide variety of wildlife, including insects, frogs, toads and birds.
Together with plants, these elements offer a diversity of interests.
Other types of Aponogeton to consider:
See all Aponogeton
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Water hawthorn (Aponogeton distachyos), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Water hawthorn (Aponogeton distachyos) is not a demanding plant regarding the type of soil and can grow in clay, loam or sand.
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Clay soil is composed of more than 25 percent clay particles. These particles have a high moisture holding capacity and the soil is heavy to dig and can be waterlogged in winter (dry in summer).
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The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.
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Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.
It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Aponogeton distachyos likes to grow in humid or poorly drained soil.
Sunlight
Water hawthorn (Aponogeton distachyos) is a plant that should be grown in full sun or partial shade positions.
Cultivation profiles – Growing Water hawthorn (Aponogeton distachyos) – Dwergenpaartje, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
