Aponogeton distachyos

Native to South Africa, Water Hawthorn is an evergreen small shrub that grows to heights of 2-5 feet (60-150 cm). It is an easy to grow, low maintenance plant that needs full sun and can tolerate low to high temperatures - ranging from USDA Zone 9 to 11. Requiring bog or aquatic conditions, and preferring a lower pH level, Water Hawthorn produces beautiful off-white, star-shaped, fragrant flowers which bloom in spring and summer on the end of a spike. When grown in a pot in cold regions, the Water Hawthorn should be kept in a location that receives full sun, preferably submerged in an aquatic environment. The plant should be watered regularly throughout the growing season and only lightly during the winter. It can also be placed in a container with a lightweight medium such as sand or pebbles in shallow water, on or at the edge of a pond. To encourage healthy growth, fertilize the plant with a slow-release plant food once every two weeks during spring and summer.