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White flowers with green stems and leaves on a green background
Ranunculus aquatilis (Common Water Crowfoot)
Ranunculus aquatilis (Common Water Crowfoot)
White flowers with green stems and leaves on a green background

Ranunculus aquatilis (Common Water Crowfoot)

Availability:
in stock, ready to be shipped
Availability:
in stock, ready to be shipped
Availability:
in stock, ready to be shipped
Availability:
in stock, ready to be shipped
Availability:
in stock, ready to be shipped
Availability:
in stock, ready to be shipped
Availability:
in stock, ready to be shipped
£0.00 - £0.00
£0.00
£3.00
£3.00 - £125.00
£3.00
Number of Bunches: 1 Bunch
Size Information

You can choose plants in various pot sizes. Non-potted plants arrive bare root for you to pot in the specified pot size.

Seasonal Information

Depending on the time of year, pond plants may be supplied fully-leaved, with flowers, or with foliage trimmed back.

Delivery Information

This plant is grown in the UK and sent directly from our tried, tested and trusted plant partner. Delivery price calculated at checkout.

Description of Ranunculus aquatilis (Common Water Crowfoot)

Ranunculus aquatilis, commonly known as Common Water Crowfoot, is a native aquatic plant valued for both oxygenation and summer flowers. It grows naturally in ponds, streams, and slow rivers across the UK. If you want a wildlife pond with seasonal interest, this species is a strong choice.

This short-lived aquatic perennial produces slender, branched stems below the surface. The submerged leaves are finely divided into thread-like segments, which move freely in the water. As the plant reaches the surface, it forms dark green floating leaves with palm-shaped lobes.

In summer, it produces single white flowers around 2 cm across. These flowers sit just above the water and attract pollinators. Many pond owners choose this plant to bring colour and movement without sacrificing water quality.

You may also find Ranunculus aquatilis listed under these common names:

  • Lodewort
  • Ram’s foot
  • Ram’s wort
  • Water anemone
  • Water crowfoot
  • Water snowcups
  • Water buttercup

It also appears under several botanical synonyms:

  • Ranunculus aquatilis var. heterophyllus
  • Ranunculus godronii
  • Ranunculus aquaticus
  • Ranunculus caespitosus
  • Ranunculus heterophyllus

Think about the balance in your pond. Do you want both clear water and seasonal flowers? This plant offers both. It absorbs nutrients, releases oxygen, and gives cover to fish and amphibians.

Why grow Ranunculus aquatilis in your pond?

  • Native and well adapted to UK conditions
  • Produces attractive white flowers in summer
  • Supports pollinators and aquatic wildlife
  • Helps maintain water clarity and balance
  • Provides shelter and spawning sites
  • Works in wildlife and ornamental ponds

Dense underwater growth creates safe spaces for fry and invertebrates. Floating leaves provide light shade and help regulate temperature. This can reduce algae growth in warm weather.

Planting and care tips

  • Plant in still or slow-moving water
  • Suitable for depths from 10 cm to 80 cm
  • Anchor stems in aquatic soil or gravel
  • Allow some growth to float naturally
  • Best planted in spring
  • Thin after flowering if needed

This species is short-lived but often self-seeds in suitable conditions. You may see new plants appear each year. This natural cycle helps maintain a healthy pond with minimal effort.

Combine Common Water Crowfoot with submerged oxygenators such as Ceratophyllum and native floating plants to create a layered habitat. This supports more species and improves resilience.

If you want a pond that attracts wildlife and changes with the seasons, Ranunculus aquatilis is a practical and rewarding addition. It brings structure, flowers, and ecological value to your pond.

FAQs

What are the best oxygenating plants for a wildlife pond?

Good choices include submerged species such as hornwort, water starwort, water violet, water crowfoot and suitable pondweeds. The best choice depends on the pond's depth, size and conditions, so using more than one suitable species can provide useful underwater habitat as well as plant diversity.

How many oxygenating plants do I need in my pond?

As a general guide, the RHS suggests around four to five bunches of submerged oxygenators, each containing three to four stems, per square metre of water surface. Avoid excessive planting, as submerged plants also respire at night and overcrowding can cause problems.

Do oxygenating pond plants keep water clear?

Oxygenating plants can contribute to a balanced pond and compete for nutrients that might otherwise support excessive algae growth. However, they are not a guaranteed cure for green water, as water clarity is affected by factors including sunlight, nutrients, plant coverage and the overall balance of the pond.

Do oxygenating plants need to be planted in baskets?

It depends on the species. Some submerged oxygenators are rooted and can be planted or anchored in aquatic baskets, while others can grow freely in the water. Follow the planting instructions for the individual species rather than treating all oxygenators in the same way.

Do I need oxygenating plants if I have a pond pump?

A pump can circulate and aerate water, but oxygenating plants provide additional benefits such as underwater cover and habitat for pond life. For a wildlife pond, plants are therefore useful for more than simply adding oxygen to the water.

What are the best pond plants for a wildlife pond?

The best wildlife pond plants provide a mixture of underwater cover, surface shade, flowering habitat and places for aquatic insects to emerge. A balanced pond can include oxygenating plants, marginal plants and floating-leaved plants such as water lilies. Native species are particularly useful for supporting UK pond wildlife.

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