Azolla
Azolla
Ease to Grow: Easy.
Dormancy: No.
Native Range: Slow moving waters of the Americas.
Zones: 5-11 (4-12).
Bladderworts and Aldrovanda benefit from growing under a floating plant such as Azolla. Azolla caroliniana, is a temperate, floating fern, similar to, but smaller than Salvinia. It forms lovely floating leaf groups, each about 1/8" across. It feeds heavily on nutrients in the water, removing nitrogen and potassium. In full sun it takes on a gorgeous red color. It is an excellent companion plant for growing Aldrovanda and Utricularia, which can thrive growing amongst it.
Azolla is fast growing, but easier to control than duckweed. It can be an invasive weed in warm climates. Cultures may contain small amounts of other aquatic plants.
For Azolla, each portion is about the size of a thumb nail, and sufficient to start a nice colony in good growing conditions.
Height: 1/8" - 1/2".
Plant Type: Perennial, temperate-tropical.
Soil: Water.
Soil pH: 6.5-7.5
Light: Full to Partial Sun.
Use: Unusual small floating fern, great cover for Bladderworts and Aldrovanda.
