Product Overview
Variegated Four Leaf Water Clover (Marsilea mutica) Lily-Like Aquatic
The 1" to 3" four leaf clovers float on the water surface and root into soil. Leaves are highly and attractively variegated with concentric circles of varying shades of green and brown on each petal. Water clover multiplies by underground and floating runners; it is a fast grower and a good plant to help cover the water surface. Be sure to keep it restrained in pots unless you want it to take over, and do not release into natural waterways. When grown in very shallow water, the leaves will grow up out of the water, giving a much different appearance (see photos).
Although called a clover, this plant is (surprisingly) actually a fern! Don't ask us how this affects its being a good luck charm as a four leaf clover, but we prefer to think it is still magical. Because it is a fer, don't expect any blooms--the striking leaves are enough reason to grow it!
We ship variegated water clover in its emersed form, with the leaves grown out of the water. This is because emersed leaves are thicker and tougher, and hold up better in transit. The floating leaf form gets much bigger leaves, and is also much more beautifully variegated; check out all the photos to see the difference! It's very easy to transform an emersed form to a floating form--just pot it and put it completely under water. In a few days the leaves will pop up to the surface, and you can watch as they get larger and more variegated.
Hardiness Zone: 5-11
PLANTING CONTAINER: We recommend a 7.5" x 5" fabric pot to grow a regular sized plant, and a 10" x 6" fabric pot to grow a large sized plant. Click on any fabric pot link to read about why fabric pots work better than hard plastic pots!
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Full sun to partial shade
Height: Leaves float on surface, plant is rooted in soil, Spread: 12" to 24+", reproduces rapidly by runners
Water Depth: 4" to 24+", deeper water is for mature plants
FERTILIZING: For best health and growth, we recommend fertilizing regularly (unless using the plants in a plant filtration system!). Use Pondtabbs 20 count, 60 count, or 300 count for fast release, or Aquascape 6 count or 12 count capsules for slow release (once a year) fertilizing. Aquascape is preferred for low maintenance, but Pondtabbs are useful in Spring when Aquascape is slow to start in low temperatures. Pondtabbs are also useful for a quick extra nutrient push for extra bloom, and for mid-summer fertilizing of a new plant (we don't recommend using slow release fertilizer in mid-summer or later in cold climates, as plants should run out of fertilizer at the end of the year to encourage dormancy in cold climates).
Plants are shipped bare root or in starter pots, and will require planting upon arrival. For in depth planting and care instructions visit our Planting and Care Instructions for Shallow Water and Bog Plants.
For information on using plants for pond filtration, please read our blog on this topic!
Four Leaf Water Clover (Marsilea mutica) is restricted in LA and OK - Know your state laws.
