Salvinia natans is a free-floating aquatic fern that transforms still water into a lush, living carpet of delicate foliage. This rootless water plant forms rapidly expanding mats on pond and water garden surfaces, reaching just 1 inch tall but spreading 3 to 12 inches wide, creating a soft, feathery presence that softens the hard edges of water features. Hardy in zones 10-11, salvinia thrives in full sun to partial shade and requires only moderate water maintenance, though it spreads aggressively in warm, frost-free climates where it can quickly dominate if left unchecked. The fern's distinctive three-part leaf arrangement and hairy, unlobed foliage set it apart from similar floating ferns, offering texture and movement that few other aquatic plants provide.
Partial Sun
Moderate
10-11
3in H x 12in W
—
High
Hover over chart points for details
Salvinia's ability to form dense, rapidly expanding mats of feathery foliage makes it a living water filter that naturally cools and oxygenates still water. The fern's reproductive cycle is elegantly adapted to seasonal change: in fall, its sporocarps sink to the bottom for overwintering, then rise again as spring temperatures warm, allowing it to survive cold snaps when managed properly. Its aggressive spreading habit, while sometimes a challenge, becomes an asset in rain gardens and naturalized water features where you want rapid coverage and minimal intervention.
Salvinia shines as a water plant in ornamental ponds, water gardens, and rain gardens where its rapid growth habit becomes an advantage rather than a liability. It naturalizes beautifully in still water features, creating soft, layered texture that mimics natural wetlands. In frost-free regions where it can spread freely, it offers effective biological water filtration and surface coverage for water cooling.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
After the last frost date, scatter small bunches of salvinia plants directly onto the surface of still water. The fern requires no soil or rooting substrate and will establish itself immediately on the water surface.
Remove excess plants throughout the growing season by netting them out as needed, especially in warm climates where salvinia spreads aggressively. This regular thinning prevents the fern from completely covering the water surface and allows light to reach the water below.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.