Smooth Frogbit (Limnobium laevigatum)

Smooth Frogbit (Limnobium laevigatum)

A fast growing floating pond plant with glossy rounded leaves, perfect for shading water, improving clarity and supporting pond wildlife.

Smooth Frogbit (Limnobium laevigatum) is a highly effective floating pond plant that combines attractive appearance with excellent water quality benefits. With its smooth, rounded leaves and soft spongy undersides, it creates a natural floating carpet across the pond surface while helping to maintain a balanced and healthy aquatic environment.

Each plant produces clusters of bright green, circular leaves that float neatly on the water. These leaves are supported by buoyant, sponge like tissue underneath, allowing the plant to sit comfortably on the surface. As it grows, Smooth Frogbit sends out runners that develop new plantlets, enabling it to spread steadily across the pond and create a light covering.

Typically growing between 5 cm and 20 cm across per plant, it can quickly establish a natural looking surface layer that softens the appearance of the pond. This floating cover provides essential shade, helping to reduce sunlight penetration and limit the growth of algae. By absorbing excess nutrients directly from the water, it also contributes to improved water clarity and overall pond health.

Smooth Frogbit is particularly popular in wildlife ponds due to the habitat it creates. The dangling roots beneath the plant offer shelter for fish, amphibians and aquatic insects, while the shaded areas provide protection from predators and harsh sunlight. Frogs and newts often rest among the leaves, making it a valuable addition to biodiversity focused pond designs.

Although not native to the UK, Smooth Frogbit performs exceptionally well in garden ponds during the warmer months. It thrives in still or slow moving water and prefers full sun to partial shade. In ideal conditions, it will grow quickly and may require occasional thinning to prevent overcrowding.

Smooth Frogbit is a tender tropical floating plant and is not frost hardy. It is normally used as a seasonal pond plant in the UK. To retain it for another year, move healthy plants indoors before temperatures fall and keep them in bright, frost-free water above 10°C, with warmer conditions giving the most reliable results.

With its rapid growth, attractive foliage and ability to improve water quality, Smooth Frogbit is an excellent choice for anyone looking to enhance both the look and function of their pond.

🇬🇧 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

• Attractive floating plant with smooth rounded leaves
• Helps reduce algae by shading the water surface
• Improves water clarity by absorbing excess nutrients
• Provides shelter for fish, frogs and aquatic insects
• Fast growing and easy to establish
• Creates a natural pond appearance
• Ideal for wildlife friendly ponds
• Excellent summer performance

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Reasons to Buy

• One of the best floating plants for algae control
• Perfect for improving pond health naturally
• Adds soft texture and coverage to pond surface
• Easy to grow with minimal effort
• Great for creating a balanced pond ecosystem

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Care Instructions

• Place directly onto the pond surface and allow it to float freely
• Best suited to still or slow moving water
• Grow in full sun or partial shade
• Thin regularly to prevent overcrowding
• Remove any decaying leaves to maintain water quality
• Overwinter indoors in bright, frost-free water above 10°C

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Flowering Period

June to September

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Size and Growing Conditions

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Dispatching Your Pond Plants

Your Smooth 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 Water Chestnut (Trapa natans).

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.