Back to Pond
Beneath the surface, view 1 (enhanced so they show up), 2 Oct 2026
Water soldiers
Stratiotes aloides
Floating aquatic plants that look like the top of a pineapple sitting in the water. They float up in summer and sink to the bottom over winter, which is normal.
Great cover for pond creatures and good at soaking up nutrients that would otherwise feed algae. Thin them out if they start covering too much of the surface.
- Common name
- Water soldiers
- Section
- Pond
- Spot
- Garden
- Soil
- n/a
- Options
Potential
A seasonal floating-rosette feature for the pond, with its changing position in the water adding interest.
- From
- A mail-order nursery, 2026
- Age
- About 1 year
- Next repot
- Never: they float free
- Edible
- ❌ Not for eating, and very pointy.
- Hardy
- ✅ Fully
- Garden-centre price
- about £5
Did you know?
They sink to the bottom in autumn and float back up in spring.