Product Overview
Hornwort aka Coontail (Ceratophyllium demersum)
Hornwort is an excellent submerged oxygenating plant. Hornwort resembles an underwater juniper bush, with multiple branches of thick, dark green foliage, and is a US native.
In warm weather Hornwort grows quickly underwater; it will be dense in high light, and much looser in low light. It does not develop roots, so it is not necessary or even desirable to pot it--like other submerged pond plants, it absorbs nutrients from the water and is especially good at keeping water clear. Baby fish love to hide in this submerged plant.
In winter Hornwort may lose some needles (leaves), but generally stays green so long as it is below the ice.
Use one bunch for every 2 square feet of surface area. Hornwort usually stays near the bottom except when there is not enough light; then it stays closer to the surface. When first placed in the pond Hornwort may tend to float, but usually settle near the bottom when the trapped air bubble are absorbed into the water. If you like you can rubberband pieces to a small rock and gently release them to sink, but this is usually not needed.
We originally sold Hornwort weighted with lead, and later offered lead strips for sinking them, but we no longer do this as lead is toxic to pond life, tight clumps promote rotting, and Hornwort will eventually find its optimum level in the pond on its own. For the last few years we sold Hornwort rubberbanded together in clumps, but this encourages customers to plant or release them that way, and a tight clump just rots at the band, so now we sell loose clumps (one clump is approximately 1 cup of strands and eaves).
Hornwort may also be used in aquariums!
Minimum purchase of 5.
Hardiness Zone: 5-11
Light Requirements: Full Sun to part shade
Height: submerged
Water Depth: 1' - 15', so long as water is clear enough for light to penetrate.
Cannot be shipped to Puerto Rico.
