Hottonia spp.

Primulaceae

Temperate Europe, western Asia, and eastern North America

Attracts Pollinators Container Friendly

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterHigh

HardinessZones 4–8

Overview

Hottonia spp. is a genus of two aquatic perennials in the primrose family, Primulaceae: H. palustris, water violet, of Europe and western Asia, and H. inflata, featherfoil, of eastern North America. Both root in the mud of still or slow-moving water and carry whorls of submerged, finely divided, feather-like leaves that give the plants a soft, plume-like underwater form. In late spring and summer a hollow flower stem rises above the surface bearing whorls of flowers: pale lilac with a yellow eye in H. palustris, and small white flowers on the swollen, inflated stalks of H. inflata. Below water the foliage forms dense, bright green masses that shelter aquatic insects and fish fry. The plants overwinter as resting buds on the pond floor and regrow in spring. Hottonia spp. needs clean, cool, still to gently moving water and clear light, and it declines in turbid, nutrient-loaded, or shaded ponds. H. inflata is uncommon and of conservation concern through parts of its range.

Native Range

Native to fresh, still or slow-flowing waters of the cool-temperate northern hemisphere; H. palustris across Europe and western Asia, H. inflata in eastern North America.

Suggested Uses

Grown in wildlife ponds, bog gardens, and the margins of natural swimming ponds as a submerged oxygenating plant. The summer flower spikes rise above still water in mixed aquatic plantings. The feathery foliage gives cover for fish fry and aquatic insects.

How to Identify

Identified as a rooted aquatic with whorls of submerged, finely divided, feathery bright-green leaves and bare lower stems. In summer a hollow stalk lifts whorls of flowers above the water, pale lilac with a yellow eye in H. palustris or small and white on inflated stalks in H. inflata. Out of flower the feathery underwater foliage and whorled arrangement are the main cues.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8" - 1'4"

Width/Spread1' - 2'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering occurs from late spring into midsummer, about May to July. Whorls of flowers are held on an emergent stalk above the water surface for two to four weeks. After flowering the stem dies back and the plant relies on submerged growth.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Pale lilac to white with yellow eye

Foliage Description

Bright green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam silt peat

Drainagewet

Water & Climate

Water Needs

High

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Hottonia spp. grows rooted in soft mud in full sun to light shade in ponds, ditches, and slow streams 4-24 inches (10-60 cm) deep. It needs clean, cool, oxygen-rich water and clears poorly in stagnant or heavily fertilised conditions. Slightly acidic to neutral, low-nutrient water suits it, and algae from excess nutrients shade out the submerged leaves. Plants are fully cold-hardy and survive winter as turions on the pond bed. No feeding is needed, as nutrients come from the water and sediment. It is grown from turions, stem fragments, or seed pressed into wet mud.

Pruning

Pruning is limited to removing spent flower stems after blooming and thinning crowded growth in summer. Excess stems can be pulled out to keep open water. Decaying foliage is cleared in autumn so it does not foul the water.

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 3 gallons

✓ Toxicity

Non-toxic

Aquatic Plants