body of water trefoil may look like a dense mat of lucky four - leaf clovers , but it ’s actually a fast - growing aquatic fern .
Though it resemble a four - foliage clover , water cloveris botanically separate as a fern because it produce spores . Aquatic plants ( like body of water trefoil , lotuses , cattails , and grasses ) are utilitarian for maintaining an ecologic counterbalance in ponds , lakes , streams , or man - made body of water without the exercise of chemicals . When used properly , these aquatic plants not only slim down algae increase but also bring home the bacon fish and other aquatic fauna with tincture and helpful concealing spots .
body of water trefoil is extremely wanton to grow , and it spreads quickly — which is utilitarian when create wetland groundcovers . However , because of its quick spread , urine clover should be grow with forethought . In some area , it is unmanageable to eradicate after it is established . Before planting it , know the regulating regarding growing water system trefoil in your area .
Credit:Matthew Benson
Where to Plant Water Clover
weewee trefoil is exceptionally easy to acquire , earn it an splendid pee garden industrial plant for first - sentence gardeners . Grow it in acontainer - bound water gardenand delight its cheerful four - leaf - trefoil pull up stakes up close . It also grows well in hushed streams and ponds alongsidewater liliesandlotus . implant it in the clay at the bound of a flow or pond where it will tot up welcome color and texture to the water supply airfoil .
pee clover can be problematic if it is permit to grow unchecked . If it covers a pond , for example , it can eat up the atomic number 8 supplying to the urine , kill the Pisces and other wildlife . For this reasonableness , many mintage are banned or monish across the United States and Canada . BothMarsilea muticaandM. quadrifoliaare considered encroaching in Oklahomaand the sale of such plants is ban . European water trefoil ( Marsilea quadrifolia ) is considered invasive in several Midwest and mid - Atlantic body politic , include Maryland , Connecticut , New York , New Jersey , Wisconsin , Michigan , and Minnesota .
How and When to Plant Water Clover
Water trefoil plants can grow to the full submerge , in the soil at the edge of the water , or in the substratum of a humankind - made feature . Just drudge a modest hole ( magnanimous enough to accommodate the theme ) and direct the flora where you want it to part grow . If you are submerging your piss trefoil , you may require to ground it or tie it down to keep it in spot . To control the scatter of your weewee clover , consider keeping it restrict to a large ( at least 1 - gallon ) water - safe planter .
Water Clover Care Tips
An adaptable , fast - originate aquatic plant life , water clover grows in boggy soilat the edge of a pool or stream , or in a fenland . It also develop drown in water up to 18 inches deep .
Light
urine clover grows well in both full Sunday and part tad .
Soil and Water
Water trefoil thrives in damp dirt and inert weewee with a pH between 6.0 and 8.0 , although it is very adaptable . It can also tolerate slenderly acidic and gently alkaline water but may not grow as abundantly .
Temperature and Humidity
The ideal climate for urine trefoil is an air temperature between 72 and 82 Fahrenheit or a water temperature between 67- and 78 degrees Fahrenheit . Unsurprisingly , water clover tolerates gamy humidness well , but it can also endure seasonally dry shape with little or no damage .
Fertilizer
piss clover does not take fertilisation .
Pruning
If water clover begins to extend the surface of your pond or water lineament , take measures to limit its growth . Otherwise , the plant life could cause oxygen depletion in the water and pop any fish or wildlife that dwell there . The easiest way to remove water clover from weewee is by glance over it from the pool or stream aerofoil .
Pests and Problems
Water clover is not known for way out with pestilence and diseases , but waterfowl on occasion feed on the works ’s spore pods . In some regions , the gullible peach aphid ( Myzus persicae ) can make issues like decreased ontogenesis , wilting , and shriveling .
How to Propagate Water Clover
Water trefoil spreads easily by vigorous rhizome , so section is the unsubdivided method acting of generation . Using a sharp tongue or shear , cut your plant life into small pieces — each with at least one leaf and its own source organization . Once divide , the freshly divide water supply clover plants can be planted in single containers or placed in other region of your pond , lake , or rain cats and dogs .
Types of Water Clover
Bigfoot Water Clover
Bigfoot water trefoil ( Marsilea macropoda ) is a robust perennial that make trefoil - like leave that sometimes dilute to 10 inches in meridian . It has a earth - squeeze growth habit and forms gravid , slow mats of green along the mud and wet backbone . It does not produce blossom but spreads sharply via spore and may require maintenance to keep it from overtaking areas where atmospheric condition are specially favorable .
European Water Clover
European water system clover ( Marsilea quadrifolia ) . This type of aquatic fern anchors itself into the sediment of slow - move H2O and can boom in flaxen , loamy soil with full sun or fond shade . It is native to Europe and Asia but is consider invasive in several Midwest and mid - Atlantic states . This variation of urine trefoil spreads via creeping rootstock and bears tenuous green stalks that rise to the water ’s control surface bearing clover - comparable leaflets that float on or sit down just below the surface of the water .
Hairy Water Clover
Hairy water trefoil ( Marsilea vestita ) , form dim colonies that circulate via rhizome in mud or shallow water . It is semi - mundane , which mean it can last part , but not wholly on land . This version of water clover boast cushy haired brochure and hairy stems .
Marsilea Mutica ‘Variegata’
This version of weewee trefoil has floating 3 - inch - all-embracing fuzz - putting surface leaves with arching reddish - brown stripes . It reproduces via spores and is prohibited in some states ( including Oklahoma ) . It can grow in 4 in of water supply or less and is audacious in zone 5 - 10 .
Companion Plants for Water Clover
Lotus
aboriginal to Asia and Australia , thelotusis considered sacred by the Buddhist and Hindu religion . It ’s also prized by water gardeners ( in hardiness zones 4 - 10 ) because it ’s both beautiful and easy to grow . Flowers are short - lived — appearing for only a few days followed by orotund ornamental come pods — but the plant ’s canopy of waxy grim - green leaf can reach two to three feet in diameter . Some varieties require a large aquatic distance to propagate , but other varieties are well - fit for container - grow or little water gardens . Check the descriptions or consult with a local nursery expert before sum up it to your pond , lake , or container .
Pitcher Plant
Matthew Benson
Thepitcher plantis an underused , carnivorous pond - side plant . Carnivorous as in , it eat insects . This trait makes it an excellent pestilence - mastery option for habitats where fly , wasps , beetle , and ants are an military issue . Plus , they are pretty . As they acquire , you’re able to enjoy the thermionic vacuum tube - mold leave of absence of the pitcher industrial plant ( Sarraceniaspp . ) as well as the fascinating spring cherry , purple , yellow , or green heyday .
Water Lily
Water liliesare classic water plants that come in a rainbow of colouring material options . Many of the hardy diverseness have voiced , pastel efflorescence ; but tropical form total in jewel tones of undimmed blues , purples , oranges , and yellow . They will grow in almost any part of the United States ( zones 3 - 11 ) and can be kept in container for those without admittance to naturally - take place bodies of water . What ’s more , water lilies can improve the overall wellness of a pool or lake and reduce the production of alga by provide necessary shadowiness at the water ’s surface .
Frequently Asked Questions
you could use a rake to remove piddle clover from the control surface of most trunk of water and water gardens . Just use the rake ’s teeth to grab the trefoil and pull it from the water . Dispose of the unwanted plants in a food waste bag to forfend undesirable growth in other habitats . If you need more strong-growing measures of eradication , you may expend an aquatic herbicide that hold glyphosate . Add it ( according to ware statement ) to a garden sprayer and spray the clover at the border of the water and the foliage that floats on the airfoil of the water . seek to avoid let the weedkiller drip off the leaves into the water and only spray as much as needed to cover the airfoil of the leaf . Repeat the process if new plants emerge .
Yes . Water clover can grow in an fish tank . To plant it , secure the roots directly into the fish tank ’s aquatic substratum or set your piddle clover in a container that can be submerged in the aquarium . Regardless of the planting method acting , verify your water system trefoil still bugger off ample sunshine or synthetic lighting to support photosynthesis .
Water trefoil . Okinvasives - The Oklahoma Invasive Plant Council .
Credit:Matthew Benson
European weewee - clover : Marsilea quadrifolia ( hydropteridales : Marsileaceae ) . Invasive plant atlas of the United States
Credit:Matthew Benson
Credit: Bob Stefko
