Water Violet (Hottonia palustris) - Wildlife-Friendly Native with Spring Flower Spikes (Peat-Free, Pesticide-Free) Pots & Bunches

A beautiful UK-native aquatic, Hottonia palustris forms soft, feathery submerged leaves and sends up elegant pale lilac-white flower spikes in late spring to early summer. It roots lightly and spreads by stolons, creating natural underwater thickets that give cover for tadpoles, newts and fry, while the airy blooms lift above the surface. Best in still, low-nutrient water where it can remain finely cut and clean. Expect the flowering stems to 20-40(–50) cm above the surface, with submerged foliage according to depth. Perfect for naturalistic ponds and barrel ponds with enough water depth and light.

Where it thrives

• Light: Full sun to light/partial shade (best flowering with decent light)

• Water/Depth: Still to very slow-moving water, typically 20-60 cm deep; allow room for flower stems to clear the surface

• Setting: Open water just beyond the shelf; excellent among gentle clumps of marginals that provide some surface shade (but avoid deep, constant shade)

Planting & care

• Plant a small clump in a mesh aquatic basket of peat-free aquatic compost; set basket so the crown sits 20-40 cm below the surface (deeper in clear water).

• Top-dress with washed grit to prevent float; lower slowly to avoid clouding.

• Growth is cleanest in rain-filled, low-nutrient ponds; avoid fertilisers.

• Thin by hand after flowering or in late summer if stands get dense; compost trimmings well away from watercourses.

• In very small ponds, keep to one contained clump for balance.

Safety (important & honest):
Ornamental use only - do not ingest. Wash hands after pond work. Never release plants or pond water into natural watercourses.

Truth-first wildlife note:
Water Violet offers fine underwater habitat and accessible, open flowers for small insects in spring. Like all aquatics, it won’t “clear” green water alone - aim for a mixed planting, modest surface shade, and low nutrient input for healthy, clear water.

Joel says…
“Feathery below, lilac spires above - proper wild-pond elegance. Basket it a touch deeper in clear water, keep nutrients low, and thin lightly when it’s doing too well.”

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are ordering perennials between the months of October and March, including aquatic plants, please be aware that this is the dormant phase for perennials, so your plants may arrive showing potentially little or no top growth at this stage, or can in some cases still have some old leaves from last year showing also. Please don't worry, as this is all quite normal. Once the weather warms up in spring, you will start to see fresh growth and activity! If you ever have any concerns at all, please just message the team on enquiries@wildyourgarden.com and we'll always do our best to help.