Stratiotes aloides (Water Soldier / Krabbenscheer)

Stratiotes aloides is one of the most fascinating native Dutch and Belgian pond plants — a free-floating rosette of rigid, spiny, aloe-like leaves that rises to the water surface to flower in June and July, bearing small white three-petalled flowers, then sinks back to the pond floor for winter. This seasonal floating behavior plays a unique ecological role in Dutch vijver ecosystems, providing shelter, spawning habitat, and oxygenation. Listed as a protected plant in many Dutch provinces; commercially propagated specimens are widely available.

Simply place floating rosettes in a pond in a sunny position. No planting or substrate needed. Naturally multiplies by runners producing daughter plants. In hard water it may accumulate calcium deposits on leaves; softer water produces cleaner growth. Remove excess plants in autumn to prevent overcrowding. Overwinters on the pond floor and re-emerges in spring without intervention.