Starwort (Callitriche stagnalis)

Starwort (Callitriche stagnalis)

A native oxygenating pond plant with delicate green growth for wildlife ponds and natural planting

Starwort (Callitriche stagnalis) is a delicate native oxygenating pond plant that forms soft green growth in still or gently moving water. It is a useful choice for wildlife ponds, natural ponds and smaller garden ponds where a lighter, more natural oxygenator is preferred.

The plant can produce submerged stems and small star shaped floating rosettes at the surface, giving it a very natural appearance. This makes it valuable for creating texture without the strong, bulky growth of some larger oxygenators.

Starwort provides useful cover for tadpoles, newts, aquatic insects and small fish. It helps create sheltered areas close to the water surface and can be particularly useful in wildlife ponds where amphibians need safe spaces to rest and feed.

During active growth, Starwort contributes to oxygen production during daylight and uses nutrients from the water. It is best used as part of a mixed planting scheme with other oxygenators, potted shelf plants and marginal pond plants.

The weighted bunches make it easy to introduce into new or existing ponds. They can be placed directly into the water, tucked into a soft substrate or planted into a basket if you want more control over placement.

Potted Oxygenators and Bunched Oxygenators

Potted oxygenators are supplied rooted in aquatic soil and are usually placed on pond shelves or in shallow water. They often provide useful cover near the water surface, making them valuable for amphibians, froglets and aquatic insects.

Bunched oxygenators are usually weighted and placed into deeper areas of the pond, where they can sink towards the pond floor and root into the substrate.

Starwort is best used as a weighted bunched oxygenator that can grow through the water and form light floating cover. It pairs well with potted oxygenators on shelves and marginal plants around the pond edge.

Key Benefits

• UK native oxygenating pond plant
• Supplied as 5 ready weighted bunches
• Delicate green growth with a natural appearance
• Can form small floating rosettes at the surface
• Provides cover for tadpoles and pond insects
• Suitable for wildlife ponds and natural ponds
• Useful in still or gently moving water
• Easy to place into new or existing ponds

Reasons to Buy

• A softer alternative to larger oxygenators
• Good for wildlife friendly pond planting
• Useful for adding surface and submerged cover
• Simple weighted bunches are easy to introduce
• Works well in mixed native planting schemes

Care Instructions

• Place the weighted bunches directly into the pond and allow them to settle naturally. They can also be tucked into fine gravel, silt or aquatic compost.
• Start in shallower water where light can reach the stems, then allow the plant to spread naturally as it establishes.
• Grow in full sun or partial shade. In very shaded or murky water, growth may be slower.
• Remove excess growth if required and leave any removed material beside the pond for 24 hours before composting.

Flowering Period

Starwort produces very small, insignificant green flowers. It is grown mainly for its delicate oxygenating foliage and wildlife value.

Size and Growing Conditions

Dispatching Your Pond Plants

Your Starwort will arrive as freshly prepared weighted bunches, ready to place directly into your pond.

Each bunch is carefully prepared and weighted to help it sink naturally and establish in a suitable position.

Plants are dispatched fresh during the growing season and may vary in appearance depending on the time of year, water temperature and current nursery growth.

Open the packaging promptly on arrival and place the bunches into pond water as soon as possible. Never allow bunched oxygenators to dry out.

To avoid plants being held in depots over a weekend, we do not usually dispatch on Fridays. Highlands and Islands orders using a 2 day service are not normally dispatched on Thursdays.

Explore more oxygenating 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.

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