Description of Baldellia ranunculoides (Lesser Water Plaintain)

Baldellia ranunculoides is lesser water plantain, a small native marginal for shallow water and wet mud. It’s a good plant for natural pond edges where you want low growth and delicate flowers rather than big leaves.

Appearance

It forms a low rosette of narrow leaves. In summer it sends up thin stems with small pale pink flowers, often held above the water. It stays compact, usually 10 to 30cm tall, and can creep gently in suitable mud.

Care Guide

It likes open light and clean, wet conditions. It tends to sulk if smothered by fast spreaders.

• Sun: Full sun to light shade.
• Soil: Mud, sandy loam, or aquatic compost.
• Water: Shallow margins or saturated mud.
• Competition: Keep taller, vigorous plants back so it gets light.
• Propagation: Split small clumps in spring or move rooted runners.

It often looks best when planted in small groups in open mud between stones or basket rims.

Suitability for Bog Garden

This is ideal for bog gardens with a shallow water zone or a permanently wet shelf. It suits the front edge and natural style planting.

Avoid deep water and dense planting around it.

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