How much sun does Pacific Azolla need?

Pacific Azolla grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Pacific Azolla bloom?

Pacific Azolla blooms in June, July, August, and September.

Where is Pacific Azolla native?

Pacific Azolla (Azolla filiculoides) is native to AR, AZ, CA, CO and 14 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

Is Pacific Azolla HOA-friendly?

Pacific Azolla takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Pacific Azolla

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Azolla filiculoides

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Pacific Azolla (Azolla filiculoides) 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

1"–3" H × 2"–6" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AR, AZ, CA, CO and 14 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.

Find rebates in your area

Picture natives in your own yard

Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like Pacific Azolla.

Try it with your yard

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Puget Lowland Marine West Coast Forest Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley Southern California Mountains Central Basin and Range Mojave Basin and Range Arizona/New Mexico Mountains Chihuahuan Deserts Madrean Archipelago Sonoran Basin and Range Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

Pacific azolla is a tiny floating aquatic fern that forms dense mats on water surfaces. This diminutive plant spreads rapidly across ponds and water features, turning reddish in fall and winter.

In an HOA neighborhood

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

Works well in: backyard only.

Requires permanent water feature
Can become invasive and overtake water bodies
May be viewed as pond scum by neighbors

Wildlife value

Provides habitat for aquatic invertebrates and can serve as food for waterfowl. The dense mats offer shelter for small fish and amphibians.

Common questions

How much sun does Pacific Azolla need?: Pacific Azolla grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Pacific Azolla bloom?: Pacific Azolla blooms in June, July, August, and September.
Where is Pacific Azolla native?: Pacific Azolla (Azolla filiculoides) is native to AR, AZ, CA, CO and 14 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
Is Pacific Azolla HOA-friendly?: Pacific Azolla 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

Ready to grow Pacific Azolla? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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