Water Chestnut | Trapa natans
Water Chestnut | Trapa natans
Unique plant with red-tinged foliage, toothed leaves, and attractive surface growth.
Pack of 5
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Water Chestnut is a distinctive floating plant featuring rosettes of toothed, red-tinged leaves and dark green, waxy foliage that provides shade, cover for wildlife, and shelter for small fish. A small white flower appears in late summer, and the plant helps control algae by shading the water surface and absorbing excess nutrients.
Water Chestnut reproduces by forming nuts that sink to the bottom of the pond in autumn. In warm summers, these nuts will overwinter and produce new plants the following year.
Early Season Note: These plants are supplied as nuts early in the season, sprouting as the water warms. Simply pop the nuts into the pond, and the plants will emerge over time.
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Plant essentials
Key Characteristics:
- Height: 0cm to 5cm - floating leaves and flowers
- Spread: 10cm to 20cm
- Growth: Medium
- Foliage: Rosettes of toothed, red-tinged leaves.
- Growth Habit: Free-floating, spreading
Additional Information:
- Common Name: Water Chestnut
- Position: Full Sun/Part Shade
- Flowering Period: August to September
- Hardiness: Outdoors in summer; tolerates 10°C to 15°C. (H1b)
Loved by Amphibians 🐸
Dispatch Information:
- Normally Available From: April
Your Plant At Arrival
Your floating plants will arrive in a tub or bag, ready to be popped straight into you pond upon arrival!
Each pack contains 5 plants.
How to Grow
Growing Instructions: If Water Chestnut arrives as a plant, simply float it on the surface of your pond, where it will settle naturally and grow. If it arrives early in the season as a nut, just drop the nut into your pond, and it will sprout as the water warms.
Prefers calm water; avoid fountains or strong currents. Frost-tender, it should be overwintered indoors in frost-free conditions.
Growing Tips: Grows best in calm, sunny water; thin regularly to prevent overcrowding.
Care & Maintenance
Pruning: Thin out as necessary to prevent overcrowding and maintain healthy growth. Avoid letting plants dominate the pond, as this can reduce light and oxygen levels for other pond life. Regularly remove any yellowing or decaying leaves to keep the water clean and clear.
Pests/Diseases: Generally resilient, but water snails may occasionally damage leaves, and fungal rot can arise in poorly aerated water.
Floating Plants - Good to Know
Why Are Floating Plants So Important?
Floating plants are vital for a healthy pond. Their floating leaves provide shade, reducing sunlight penetration, which helps to control algae and keep the water cooler. They also absorb excess nutrients like nitrates, preventing algae blooms and improving water clarity.
Floating plants create shelter for fish, amphibians, and pond insects, providing a safe space for spawning, resting, and hiding. By contributing to the overall balance of your pond ecosystem, they play a key role in supporting biodiversity.
What is the Difference Between Floating Plants and Deep-Water Plants or Waterlilies?
Floating plants sit on the water’s surface, offering shade and absorbing nutrients directly from the water through their roots, unlike deep-water plants that anchor to the substrate. Their fast-growing foliage spreads across the surface, helping to control algae and providing cover for pond life.
They pair well with waterlilies, which provide larger, longer-lasting shade, and deep-water plants, which oxygenate and anchor the ecosystem. Together, these plants create a balanced and diverse pond environment.
Is It Just as Easy as Placing Them on the Surface?
Yes! Floating plants are among the easiest pond plants to care for. Simply place them on the water’s surface, and they’ll settle naturally. Tender varieties may require overwintering indoors in frost-free conditions, so check the product description for specific care instructions.
How Many Floating Plants Do I Need?
We recommend 1-3 floating plants per square metre of your pond’s surface area as part of your total coverage. Ideally, two-thirds of your pond should be shaded during high summer to keep the water cool, reduce algae, and provide shelter for pond life.
This coverage can be a mix of floating plants, deep-water plants, and waterlilies to support biodiversity. For example, in a 6sqm pond, aim for around 4sqm of coverage - such as 2sqm of waterlilies, 1sqm of deep-water plants, and 1sqm of floating plants.
Can I Mix Varieties of Floating Plants in My Pond?
Yes, mixing floating plant varieties is a great way to enhance your pond’s health and appearance. Combining different species increases shade, texture, and biodiversity. Be sure to spread them out to allow each variety space to grow. In smaller ponds, one type may eventually dominate, which is natural and depends on pond conditions.
Will Carp or Ducks Eat My Bunched Oxygenators?
Carp (including Koi): Carp enjoy eating floating plants, so consider protecting them with barriers if you have these fish.
Goldfish: Goldfish may nibble on floating plants but usually cause minimal damage. They’re more likely to feed on insects and larvae found in the pond.
Wildfowl: Ducks and other birds may eat floating plants or damage them while foraging. Keeping plants in deeper areas of the pond can help reduce their impact.
Ordering, Shipping & Returns
What is a Pre-Order?
Pre-ordering reserves a plant that is still growing and not yet ready to ship. Payment is taken at checkout to secure your plant, and shipping happens once the plant is well-rooted and ready.
Ordering Tip!
Many customers prefer to place two separate orders when ordering early in the season.
- One for plants available now.
- One for pre-order plants.
This ensures there are no delays, and you can enjoy your ready now plants sooner.
Shipping Prices
Plant Orders:
- Standard Delivery: £6.00.
- Large Orders (e.g., 30L Waterlilies): Pallet delivery, cost based on weight and postcode (email for a quote).
Highlands & Islands:
- Small Orders (<1.8kg): £6.00.
- Standard Orders (>1.8kg): £25.00.
Soil & Gravel:
Additional charges for multiple bags may apply. Email for a quote if not calculated at checkout.
Container Ponds:
Shipping starts at £30. Prices are calculated at checkout.
Note: We cannot currently ship to Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland or Europe.
Read More about delivery prices
Couriers & Delivery Schedule
Couriers Used:
Royal Mail, APC, DX and Parcel Force, and Pallet Delivery services (for large orders and 30L plants).
Shipping Schedule
- Aquatic Plants: Dispatch Schedule varies dependant on season.
- Garden Plants: Dispatched twice weekly on Mondays and Wednesdays.
If you need any help, please email us - info@plantsforponds.co.uk
Returns
Unpacking Your Plants
When your plants arrive, please unpack them carefully:
- Plants are packed in protective plastic bags. Check if any stems, leaves, or flowers are stuck to the inside of the bag before removing it.
- Gently peel off any stuck parts before removing the plant to prevent damage.
- Minor soil displacement or damage to leaves/stems during transit is normal and won’t affect the plant’s recovery.
If you’re concerned about your plants, take photos and email us, and we’ll assist you.
Damaged or Incorrect Items
If your plants or items arrive damaged, or you’ve received an incorrect item:
- Take clear photos of the packaging and damaged items.
- Email us with your order number (starting PFP) and the photos.
We’ll resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
Returns of Plants/Molluscs (Non-Faulty)
Due to the perishable nature of plants and molluscs, we are unable to accept cancellations or returns for these items. If you are unhappy with your plant or mollusc, please take photos and email us with your order number (starting PFP).
For more details about returns and our full policy, please visit our Returns Policy
Grown in the UK
Aquatic Plants
All our plants come from a UK family run aquatic nursery, established over 50 years ago.