Water Hawthorn | Waterblommetjie

Water Hawthorn | Waterblommetjie
Botanical Name: Aponogeton Distachyos

Indigenous

☀️ Exposure: Full sun, partial shade
❄️ Hardiness: Hardy
🌱 Soil Type: Aquatic, loam, rich organic matter
📏 Height: 30cm - 150cm
↔️ Spread: 90–150 cm

Aponogeton Distachyos, or Water Hawthorn, is a unique aquatic plant known for its floating oval leaves and fragrant white flowers with dark anthers. Blooming in both spring and autumn, it brings seasonal interest to ponds and water gardens. Thriving in still or slow-moving water, it helps oxygenate and shade ponds, creating a balanced ecosystem. This hardy and low-maintenance plant is an excellent choice for enhancing biodiversity, attracting pollinators, and providing shelter for aquatic life.

Water Lily Plant Guide

Prepare Container — Fill the air‑pot, ceramic pot, or basket one‑third with washed gravel (rinse thoroughly to remove dust). Create a shallow depression in the centre for the rhizome.

Position Rhizome — Place the rhizome horizontally with the crown (growing tip) slightly above the media — never bury the crown(new growth). Allow roots to drape into the gravel.

Add Plant Food — Insert a pinch of slow‑release fertiliser or a root tab into the media near the roots.

If it's a natural pond or has soil, you may place a handful of topsoil under the rhizome and surround it with gravel.

Cover & Cap — Add more gravel to secure the roots, then finish with a 3–5 cm gravel/pebble cap to keep fish from disturbing the roots and to keep the water clear.

TIP: Place in a sunny spot (4–6+ hours minimum direct sunlight) to promote abundant flowering!