Water Spinach.

En un coup d'œil

Niveau d'entretien

Facile

Type de plante

Aquatic vegetable

Lumière

Full sun to partial shade

Lumière en intérieur

Lumière vive indirecte

Arrosage

Tous les 1 à 2 jours

Taille adulte

3 to 10 feet

Croissance

Rapide

Rusticité

USDA 10 à 12

Floraison

Summer to early autumn

Entretien

Keep the soil saturated or grow the plant directly in water to mimic its natural wetland habitat. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal a need for more nutrients or better light. Ensure the water stays fresh to prevent any issues with stagnation.

Arrosage

The soil must remain consistently waterlogged or submerged.

Engrais

Use a balanced liquid fertilizer to keep the foliage lush.

Taille

Trim the stems regularly to encourage bushier growth and prevent it from becoming too leggy.

Rempotage

Repot if the plant becomes root bound in its container or if you are moving it to a larger water feature.

Sol

Rich, loamy, or aquatic soil

pH du sol

5.5 to 7.0

Température

15 à 35°C

Humidité

70 à 95%

Sécurité

Humains

The plant is generally considered safe for consumption when cooked, though raw ingestion is discouraged due to potential waterborne pathogens.

Enfants

Ensure children do not play in the water where this plant grows, as it may harbor bacteria or parasites.

Allergènes de contact

Contact with the sap may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Allergènes aéroportés

Pollen may cause mild reactions in those with severe seasonal allergies.

Comestibilité

Water spinach must be cooked thoroughly to eliminate the risk of parasites like Fasciolopsis buski that can thrive in contaminated water.

Comment l'identifier

• Long, arrow shaped leaves
• Hollow, floating stems
• Trumpet shaped white or pink flowers
• Creeping or trailing growth habit

Hauteur

0,1 à 0,3m

Envergure

1 à 3m

Feuilles

green, deciduous

Fleurs

white, lavender, 3 à 5cm

Fruits

brown, Summer to autumn

Problèmes courants

• White rust — Fungal infection causing white pustules on the undersides of leaves.
• Aphids — Small insects that suck sap from new growth.

La cultiver

Multiplication

cuttings, seed

Quand planter

spring, summer

Keep this plant isolated in its own container to prevent it from outcompeting other species in your garden.

Bonnes associations

• Eichhornia crassipes — They share similar aquatic growing requirements.

Espèces similaires

• Sweet Potato — They are closely related and share similar leaf shapes.

Science

Famille

Convolvulaceae

Genre

Ipomoea

Ordre

Solanales

Classe

Magnoliopsida

Région d'origine

Tropical and subtropical regions of Asia.

Préservation

It is considered an invasive species in many parts of the United States and should be grown with caution.

It thrives in marshes, ponds, and slow moving water where it can spread rapidly across the surface.

Intérêt pour la faune

nectar source

Pollinisateurs

abeilles, papillons

Utilisations

culinary vegetable, aquatic groundcover

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

Can I grow this in a regular pot?

Yes, but it requires a very large container kept constantly saturated with water.

Is it invasive?

Yes, it is highly invasive in many warm climates and should never be released into natural waterways.

D'où vient le nom

The genus name Ipomoea comes from Greek words meaning worm and likeness, referring to the twining habit of the vines.

Bon à savoir

• It is also known as water morning glory.
• The stems are hollow, which helps the plant float.
• It grows incredibly fast in warm, wet conditions.
• It is a member of the Convolvulaceae family.