How much sun does Perfoliate Pondweed need?

Perfoliate Pondweed grows best in part shade conditions.

When does Perfoliate Pondweed bloom?

Perfoliate Pondweed blooms in June, July, and August.

Where is Perfoliate Pondweed native?

Perfoliate Pondweed (Potamogeton perfoliatus) is native to CO, CT, DE, FL and 14 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

Is Perfoliate Pondweed HOA-friendly?

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

Perfoliate Pondweed

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Potamogeton perfoliatus

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Perfoliate Pondweed (Potamogeton perfoliatus) 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

part shade

Water

high

Size

12"–48" H

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug

Native to

CO, CT, DE, FL 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 452 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

Northeastern Highlands Northeastern Coastal Zone Northern Allegheny Plateau Erie Drift Plain Northern Forests Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Northern Piedmont Southeastern Plains Ridge and Valley Southern Coastal Plain Acadian Plains and Hills Eastern Great Lakes Lowlands Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Perfoliate pondweed is an aquatic plant that grows completely submerged in ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams. It has distinctive clasping leaves that wrap around the stem and produces small flower spikes that emerge above the water surface in summer.

In an HOA neighborhood

Perfoliate 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
Not suitable for typical residential landscaping
Only appropriate for water features or ponds

Wildlife value

This aquatic plant provides important habitat for waterfowl, fish, and aquatic invertebrates. The seeds are eaten by ducks and other water birds, while the submerged foliage offers shelter for fish and amphibians.

Common questions

How much sun does Perfoliate Pondweed need?: Perfoliate Pondweed grows best in part shade conditions.
When does Perfoliate Pondweed bloom?: Perfoliate Pondweed blooms in June, July, and August.
Where is Perfoliate Pondweed native?: Perfoliate Pondweed (Potamogeton perfoliatus) is native to CO, CT, DE, FL and 14 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
Is Perfoliate Pondweed HOA-friendly?: Perfoliate 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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