1/10

Water-Shield

About Water-Shield

This plant resembles water lilies (Nymphaeaceae) since it is submerged or floating on the surface. It has trailing rootstock and grows in a wide range of water depths (1 in. to 6 ft) but does best on water edge with 8 to 10 ft of water.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Brasenia schreberi

Genus

Brasenia

Family

Cabombaceae

Order

Nymphaeales

Also known as

Brasenia and Watershield

How to care for Water-Shield

💦 Water

How often to water your Water-Shield

Water-Shield needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Water-Shield in your home

Water-Shield love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Water-Shield does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Water-Shield in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Water-Shield

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Water-Shield: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Water-Shield after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

💡 FAQs

💦 Water Needs

Water-Shield prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water-Shield Water Frequency →

Water-Shield Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Water-Shield requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Water-Shield Light Requirements →

Water-Shield Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Water-Shield is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.

🪴 Soil

Water-Shield is very sensitive to dry soil, so choose a potting soil that retains moisture. A good soil will still drain well and contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir or sphagnum moss.

Best Soil Mix for Water-Shield →

When and How to Successfully Repot Water-Shield →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Water-Shield grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.

How and When to Prune Water-Shield →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Water-Shield can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 5a-11a. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Water-Shield Temperature Tolerance →

🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Water-Shield, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.