Azolla

Growing in Pots, Balconies & Indoors

Azolla is an aquatic plant grown in water rather than soil, and the grower lists it as suitable indoors – in a bright bowl, aquarium or water container it makes an easy indoor water plant, and it also thrives outdoors in a patio water tub.

Quick Details

• Container Size: A watertight tub, bowl, half-barrel or mini-pond – grown in standing water, not soil
• Indoor Suitability: Suitable indoors in a water container with good light
• Best Spot: Half shade to full shade
• Soil & Drainage: No drainage – the container holds water; floats freely on the surface
• Watering in Pots: Keep the container topped up; it needs a constant, generous body of water

Indoors & On the Windowsill

• Indoors: The grower grows it indoors; a bright bowl or aquarium suits it well.
• Light: Even indoors it is happiest in bright light; near a window keeps growth compact and healthy.
• Important – invasive: This plant spreads aggressively and is a serious weed of natural waterways in many regions. Keep it contained and never release it or its water into ponds, streams or drains.

On a Balcony or Patio

• Light & water: Stand the water container where it gets the light levels above; top it up often, as an open tub of water evaporates fast in sun and wind.
• Weight & siting: A full water container is very heavy – make sure the balcony or shelf can take the load before filling it, and site it on a level, stable base.

Choosing the Pot, Soil & Long-Term Care

• The container: Any watertight vessel works – a glazed pot with no holes, a half-barrel with a liner, a bowl or a purpose-made mini-pond. No drainage holes here; the point is to hold water.
• Growing it: It simply floats on the surface – no soil needed; thin out and remove excess growth regularly so it does not cover the whole surface.
• Water & feeding: Keep the water topped up with rain or aged tap water; these plants feed from the water, so go easy on fertiliser and remove decaying leaves to keep it clear.
• Upkeep: Divide or thin crowded growth each year to keep it healthy and stop it swamping the container.