Frogbit (Hydrocharis morsus-ranae)

Frogbit (Hydrocharis morsus-ranae)

A charming native floating pond plant with heart shaped leaves and delicate white flowers, perfect for creating shade, improving water quality and supporting pond wildlife.

Frogbit (Hydrocharis morsus-ranae) is a beautiful native floating pond plant that brings both visual appeal and practical benefits to any garden pond. With its small, glossy heart shaped leaves and delicate white flowers, Frogbit creates a natural, soft appearance on the water’s surface while playing an important role in maintaining a healthy pond ecosystem.

This free floating plant spreads naturally across the water, forming clusters of rounded leaves that resemble miniature waterlilies. During the summer months, it produces small, attractive white flowers with a yellow centre, adding subtle seasonal interest. Although each plant is relatively small, typically spreading between 2 cm and 7 cm, it can quickly multiply and form a light floating cover across the pond surface.

Frogbit can contribute to a naturally balanced pond by taking up nutrients directly from the water. Its floating leaves also provide shade, which may help limit algae growth and keep the water cooler during warm weather. For the best results, Frogbit should be used as part of a varied planting scheme rather than relied upon as a complete algae treatment.

This plant is ideal for wildlife ponds, as it provides essential shelter and protection for fish, amphibians and pond insects. Frogs, newts and tadpoles often use the roots and leaves as a safe place to hide from predators, while insects benefit from the calm shaded areas it creates.

Frogbit thrives in still or slow moving water and prefers full sun to partial shade. It is easy to grow and requires very little maintenance, making it an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced pond keepers. In autumn, the plant naturally dies back and produces small winter buds that sink to the bottom of the pond. These buds overwinter and rise again in spring, allowing the plant to return year after year.

As a native UK species, Frogbit is perfectly suited to local conditions and contributes positively to biodiversity. Whether used in wildlife ponds, ornamental water features or natural swimming ponds, it is a simple yet highly effective way to improve both the look and health of your pond.

What to Expect When Your Frogbit Arrives

Frogbit is supplied as young floating rosettes, which may be connected by natural runners. A pack of 5 plants will not necessarily arrive as 5 large, separate or mature specimens.

Because Frogbit naturally multiplies along its runners, the plants can become tangled together during growing, packing and delivery. This is completely normal and they do not need to be pulled apart. Simply place the entire group onto the surface of the pond and allow the plants to spread out naturally.

The size, colour and number of leaves can vary depending on the time of year and the plants’ stage of growth. Some older leaves may show reddish colouring or minor damage following transit. These can be gently removed if required, provided the plants have healthy growing points and green foliage.

Once settled into suitable conditions, the plants will begin producing fresh leaves and additional rosettes along their runners.

🇬🇧 UK-grown aquatic plant: Grown at a dedicated aquatic plant nursery in the South of England and carefully prepared for delivery across the UK.

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Key Benefits

• Native UK floating pond plant
• Provides natural shade to reduce algae growth
• Absorbs nutrients directly from the pond water
• Produces delicate white flowers in summer
• Creates shelter for frogs, newts and pond insects
• Easy to grow and low maintenance
• Ideal for wildlife ponds and natural garden designs
• Spreads naturally to create a balanced pond surface cover

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Reasons to Buy

• One of the best floating plants for improving pond health
• Perfect for creating a natural wildlife friendly pond
• Supports a naturally balanced pond without requiring specialist care
• Attractive leaves and flowers add visual interest
• Simple to introduce and maintain

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Care Instructions

• Place the Frogbit directly onto the pond surface and allow it to float freely
• There is no need to plant Frogbit into soil or an aquatic basket
• Keep the leaves and growing points above the water, with the roots hanging freely beneath them
• Position the plants in still or gently moving water, away from strong fountains, waterfalls and pump returns
• Grow in full sun or partial shade
• Allow the plants time to settle following delivery, as fresh growth may take a little while to appear
• Remove any completely brown or badly damaged older leaves
• Thin the plants when necessary to prevent them covering too much of the pond surface
• Protect them from excessive disturbance by large fish or wildfowl where required

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Flowering Period

July to August

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Size and Growing Conditions

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Dispatching Your Pond Plants

Your Frogbit will be carefully packed to protect the foliage and roots during transit.

Orders received by 11am Monday to Wednesday are normally dispatched on the following working day using a next working day courier service. During busy periods, dispatch may occasionally take an extra day.

To avoid plants being held in depots over a weekend, we do not usually dispatch on Fridays. Highlands and Islands orders using a two day service are not normally dispatched on Thursdays.

Available pack size:

• Pack of 5 Floating Plants

Floating plants do not require an aquatic basket. Place them directly onto still or slow-moving water after unpacking.

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Similar pond plants

For another plant that adds cover at the water surface, compare Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) and Smooth Frogbit (Limnobium laevigatum).

Explore more floating pond plants or browse our complete pond plants range. Need baskets, aquatic soil or planting essentials? Browse our pond plant baskets and aquatic planting supplies.

Each pack contains 5 young Frogbit plants or growing rosettes. As explained above, these may be connected by natural runners and can arrive as an intertwined group rather than as 5 separate, mature plants. This is completely normal and is the expected way in which Frogbit is grown and dispatched.