Plant encyclopedia›water soldier

water soldier

Also known as: crab's claw; freshwater soldier; knight's pondwort; knight's wort; knight's woundwort; soldier's yarrow; wading pondweed; water aloe; water houseleek; water sengreen; water soldiers

S. aloides is a stoloniferous perennial forming rosettes of narrow, sharp-pointed leaves to 45cm in length, with white flowers, 3cm across, in summer

Scientific classification

Species: water soldier (Stratiotes aloides)
Genus: Stratiotes
Family: Hydrocharitaceae

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Toxicity: Aquatic
Plant type: Up to 10 cm
Height: 0.5-1 metres
Spread: Deciduous
Foliage: Tufted
Habit: Summer
Season of interest: Full sun
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

water soldier pictures

Distribution of water soldier

Distribution map

Europe, Northern Asia

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Culture

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Toxicity

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Quick identification of water soldier

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water soldier care guide

Moderate regular watering, allowing brief slight drying between soakings
Watering: Full sun
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

Watering

Moderate regular watering, allowing brief slight drying between soakings

Fertilizing

Balanced perennial feed every four weeks from spring through summer

Pruning

Remove runners to restrict spread

Propagation

See cultivation notes

Growing

This plant is listed on Schedule 9 of the UK Wildlife & Countryside Act (Northern Ireland) as an invasive non-native species. Although not banned from sale, it is an offence to plant or cause these to grow in the wild IN NORTHERN IRELAND. Gardeners possessing them should undertake measures to control them. See RHS advice on invasive non-native species for further information

More growing and care information →