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Fries' Pondweed

Potamogeton friesii

Last reviewed: August 2026

Fries' Pondweed (Potamogeton friesii)
Photo: Hippolyte Coste - Flore descriptive et illustrée de la France, de la Corse et des contrées limitrophes, 1901-1906 / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Toxicity unknown

Fries' Pondweed (Potamogeton friesii) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

high

Size

12"–48" H × 6"–24" W

Bloom

N/A

Native to

CT, IA, ID, IL and 19 more states

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Great PlainsWestern Corn Belt PlainsNorthern ForestsNorthern Lakes and ForestsNorth Central Hardwood ForestsDriftless AreaSoutheastern Wisconsin Till PlainsSouthern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift Plains

Fries' pondweed is an aquatic plant that grows completely submerged in ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams. It forms dense underwater colonies with narrow, ribbon-like leaves and produces small flower spikes that may emerge above the water surface during summer.

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In an HOA neighborhood

Fries' Pondweed takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

  • Requires permanent standing water or pond feature
  • Not suitable for traditional landscaping
  • Only appropriate for water gardens or natural ponds

Wildlife value

This aquatic plant provides important habitat and food for waterfowl, fish, and aquatic invertebrates. It serves as nursery habitat for young fish and supports various water birds that feed on its seeds and foliage.

Common questions

How much sun does Fries' Pondweed need?
Fries' Pondweed grows best in full sun conditions.
Where is Fries' Pondweed native?
Fries' Pondweed (Potamogeton friesii) is native to CT, IA, ID, IL and 19 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
Is Fries' Pondweed HOA-friendly?
Fries' Pondweed takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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