Parrot's Feather: Growing This Beautiful Aquatic Plant

Parrot's feather (Myriophyllum aquaticum) is one of the most visually striking aquatic plants you can grow. Its whorled, feathery leaves emerge from the water in bright green plumes that cascade over rocks, pond edges, and waterfall faces. The effect is lush and tropical, softening hard surfaces and adding a textural dimension no other aquatic plant quite matches.

Plant Profile

Scientific name: Myriophyllum aquaticum
Type: Emergent aquatic perennial
Height: Stems extend 6 to 12 inches above water; submerged stems can grow several feet
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Water depth: Shallow margins (0 to 6 inches) or trailing into deeper water
Hardiness: Zones 6 through 11 (treat as annual in colder zones)
Growth rate: Fast to very fast

Invasive species alert: Parrot's feather is classified as an invasive species in many US states, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. It is ILLEGAL to sell, distribute, or release in these jurisdictions. Check your local regulations before purchasing or planting.

Growing in Ponds

Parrot's feather grows best in shallow water along the pond margin. Plant stems in gravel-filled mesh baskets on the marginal shelf with 2 to 4 inches of water over the roots. The stems grow horizontally across the water surface and the feathery tips rise above it. Over time, stems trail across rocks and down waterfall faces for dramatic effect.

Parrots feather aquatic plant — practical guide overview — Parrots feather aquatic plant

Ideal Placement

Along the waterfall lip where trailing stems soften the rock edge
On marginal shelves near viewing areas for close-up texture appreciation
In stream channels where current flows through the feathery leaves
In bog filters where it contributes to nutrient absorption

Container discipline: Always grow parrot's feather in containers, never directly planted in the pond gravel. This makes seasonal removal easy and prevents the plant from establishing an uncontrollable root network.

Care Requirements

Parrot's feather is undemanding once established:

Feeding: None required in ponds — it absorbs nutrients directly from the water
Pruning: Trim trailing stems monthly during the growing season to prevent excessive spread
Winter: In zones 6 and warmer, parrot's feather overwinters in the pond (the submerged portions survive). In colder zones, take cuttings in fall and root them in a bright indoor container
Propagation: Ridiculously easy — any stem piece with a node roots in water within days

Parrots feather aquatic plant — step-by-step visual example — Parrots feather aquatic plant

Controlling Spread

In warm climates, parrot's feather can grow aggressively. Control strategies include:

Growing exclusively in containers on the marginal shelf
Removing all trimmings from the water (fragments regenerate)
Thinning quarterly — remove 50 percent of growth if needed
Never disposing of trimmings near natural waterways

Alternatives for Restricted Areas

If parrot's feather is banned in your region, consider these similar-looking alternatives:

Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum): Feathery submerged plant with similar texture, native and non-invasive
Creeping Jenny: Different growth habit but provides similar trailing softness at pond edges. See our creeping Jenny guide
Water sprite (Ceratopteris thalictroides): Feathery floating fern for warmer climates

Explore more plant options in our complete aquatic plants guide.