My garden, alive in my pocket.
Track my garden
🌿

Coontail

Ceratophyllum demersum · Ceratophyllaceae

The gardener's calendar

The right move for September

Ideal time to plant coontail: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.

JFMAMJJASOND Planting

ID card

Common name
Coontail, Hornwort
Family
Ceratophyllaceae
Type
Submerged aquatic plant
Foliage
Evergreen, finely divided into filaments
Growth
Fast
Hardiness
Temperate to tropical, not very hardy in cold climates
Origin
Cosmopolitan (temperate and tropical zones)
Natural habitat
Fresh stagnant or slow-moving waters

Care

Submersion and water circulation

Your Coontail must remain fully submerged in water. Prefer slightly moving or well-oxygenated water to encourage growth. In a pond or aquarium, maintain a minimum depth of 30 to 50 cm depending on your setup. Avoid prolonged stagnant water which promotes nutrient deficiencies.

Light exposure

This plant appreciates moderate to good light, about 8 to 10 hours per day. Moderate direct sunlight works well, but avoid overly intense exposure which may promote filamentous algae. In an aquarium, use lighting appropriate for aquatic plants.

Substrate and anchoring

Coontail has no true roots and floats freely. You can anchor it lightly to the bottom with gravel or stones to keep it in place, but this isn't necessary. It absorbs nutrients directly through its leaves from the surrounding water.

Fertilization

Apply liquid fertilizer for aquatic plants once or twice a month during the growing season (spring-summer). Dose lightly to avoid overdosing. Nutrients from fish waste (in aquariums) often partially satisfy its needs.

Pruning and maintenance

Prune regularly any sections that become too dense to control its spread and encourage a nice shape. Remove yellowed or diseased portions. Coontail grows very quickly, so monthly trimming may be necessary to prevent overcrowding.

Common problems

Generally very hardy, Coontail mainly suffers from nutrient deficiencies (leaf yellowing) or excess filamentous algae in stagnant water. Ensure good water circulation and balanced lighting. Pest attacks are rare.

Did you know?

Coontail is one of the oldest aquatic plants in the world: some fossils date back over 100 million years. It has hardly changed since then, making it a true "living fossil" from the Mesozoic era. Its lack of true roots and its ability to reproduce solely through fragmentation make it a unique case of evolutionary efficiency.

Where to buy it

Best planted in spring or autumn, away from frost and heatwaves. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September, October.

Add this plant to my garden →

Plants from the same family

Browse all plants →

Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.