Curled Pondweed

Potamogeton crispus, commonly known as Curled Pondweed, is a native British perennial oxygenator that is highly decorative. It is easily identified by its distinctive olive-green to reddish-bronze submerged leaves, which have heavily crinkled or "crisped" margins, resembling seaweed. This plant is particularly valuable for the pond ecosystem because it is active very early in the year, providing oxygen and cover when many other aquatic plants are still dormant. It produces small, inconspicuous flower spikes that rise above the surface in early summer. It is a very hardy species (H7) that thrives in both still and moving water. While it can grow quite vigorously in nutrient-rich water, it is generally easier to manage than some other oxygenators. It produces winter buds called turions, which sink to the bottom to survive the coldest months before regrowing in early spring.

Sun: Full sun to partial shade.

Soil: Silt or aquatic compost.

Hardiness: H7 — below −20°C.

Flowering: May, Jun.