- Approximate leaf spread: 45cm (18 inches).
- Recommended water depth over crown of plant: 15 - 30cm (6 - 12 inches).
- Flowering time: April - October
- Flower colour: White
- Supplied either as one loose bulb, or potted in a 9cm pot - for best results we recommend potting on using a 1 litre pot
Previously known as Aponogeton krauseanus or krausianus, this plant from southern Africa is very rare in cultivation, which is a shame because it is unusual and easy to grow. The sweetly-scented white flowers are tipped with attractive yellow stamens, and in the height of summer stand several inches above the water, giving the plant a tropical look. They are nicely set off by the apple-green, strap-like floating leaves. Unlike the much more common Aponogeton distachyos this species is smaller and does not go dormant in hot weather. Instead it will flower often from late April right through until the first hard frosts of autumn. Like the common species though, great pond snails (freshwater whelks) will sometimes chew its leaves, so if you have large numbers of these you may want to avoid it.. For best results plant in a shallow sunny spot.
This plant can be bought in pots at any time of the year, but if we are out of potted plants due to high demand, it can also be bought as a bare-root bulb, since the bulbs travel well.
If designing a planting scheme, we recommend approximately 1 Aponogeton desertorum plant per two square feet of water surface. Read more here on how to pot and care for your plant.