Growing Water Celery

Growing water celery or Oenanthe in the backyard pond is a snap if you live in USDA zones 4 or warmer.

This is one tough plant and will start growing as soon as the pond thaws in the spring.

It has fragrant leaves and is indeed an edible plant having a celery-nutlike taste.

How To Grow

Plant in the full sunshine to light shade

Ensure it gets constant moisture.

This is a fast spreading plant. In other words, it can become a bit of a weed if grown unchecked.

That's it, it's that easy.

Propagation

Tip cuttings work very well; this is a very easy plant to root.

Division also works and if you do this with a sharp shovel in the spring, the plant will continue growing unchecked.

Overwintering

If you have it planted in the ground, ignore it. It will be fine.

If in pots, simply dump the pot into the deep end of the pond and walk away. Pull it out as soon as the pond thaws in the spring and it will start growing as the first plant in the pond.

Common Plants Found

The species is often found in garden shops but 'Flamingo' or Oenanthe javanica'Flamingo' to be more precise is more often sold.

'Flamingo' (pictured) has red tinged leaves and is much more attractive than the species.

It is however slightly more tender and you want to be in USDA zone 5 to overwinter this in the ground.

In pots, I'd suggest you still drop it into the deep end of the pond.

'Flamingo' is not as invasive as the species and is slower growing.

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