Fontinalis antipyretica
water moss
A submerged, epiphytic, evergreen aquatic moss, with slender stems bearing linear dark green leaves. It is a relatively slow-growing, perennial, native to the British Isles and is a useful as an oxygenating plant for ponds and aquaria
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
pH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full shade
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Fontinalaceae
- Native to the UK
- Yes
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Submerged, Spreading branched, Clump forming, Matforming
- Genus
Fontinalis are submerged aquatic mosses with slender stems bearing 3-ranked, dark olive-green leaves
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Grows best in clear, clean, cold, water, in sun or shade. You can buy weighted bunches and tie them to a brick or stone; they will attach to the surface of rocks. Thrives in depths from 10cm to 90cm. Best grown in water with a neutral to acidic pH
Propagation
Propagate by division
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Wildlife gardens
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.