Yellow Floating Heart is a charming aquatic perennial that brings delicate, showy blooms to water gardens from May through September. Native to Europe and Asia, this rhizomatous floating-leaf plant has naturalized across much of the North American continent, from New England to the American Southwest. Hardy in zones 5 through 10, it produces heart-shaped leaves up to 4 inches across that spread across the water surface much like a miniature water lily, topped with bright yellow flowers that bloom reliably throughout the warm months. The plant stays compact, reaching just 3 to 6 inches tall while spreading 12 to 36 inches across, making it well-suited to both naturalized water gardens and contained pond settings.
Full Sun
Moderate
5-10
6in H x 36in W
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Moderate
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This low-maintenance aquatic perennial delivers consistent color from late spring through early fall with minimal intervention once established. The heart-shaped leaves create an elegant floating carpet on water surfaces, and the showy yellow blooms appear reliably from May through September without demanding fertilizers or pest management. In zones 5 through 10, it survives winter by sinking to the pond bottom much like hardy water lilies, allowing gardeners in cold climates to enjoy a tropical-looking plant without the annual replanting required of tender varieties.
Yellow Floating Heart serves primarily as an ornamental aquatic plant for water gardens, ponds, and naturalized settings. Its floating habit makes it excellent for rain gardens where it stabilizes water levels and adds visual interest while requiring minimal maintenance. The plant is also popular for container cultivation, placed at the bottom of water features to create the illusion of a water garden without requiring a full pond installation.
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Plant Yellow Floating Heart by placing rhizomes or established plantlets at the bottom of a still-water pond or water container in 1 to 2 feet of water. Position plants in full sun for best growth and flowering. Plantlets can be divided off from mature plants in spring and replanted immediately at the same depth.
No pruning is necessary for Yellow Floating Heart. Remove any leaves or stems that become damaged or diseased to maintain plant vigor. In late fall or early spring, thin runners if the plant has spread too aggressively for your water feature; simply cut away excess growth at the base.
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“Yellow Floating Heart originated in Europe and Asia, where it thrived in still waters and slow-moving streams. Over time, it has naturalized across North America, spreading from New England south to Texas and west to Arizona, California, and Washington, suggesting both its hardiness and its appeal to gardeners seeking low-maintenance aquatic plants. Its naturalization across such a broad geographic range reflects its ability to establish and persist in diverse climates, making it one of the few floating-leaf plants reliable enough for gardeners outside warm zones to grow without elaborate protection.”