Dennerle Plants Trapa natans

Trapa natans, also known as the water chestnut, is native to Europe. It is a protected species and a very attractive floating plant popular for planting in private as well as park ponds. Its rosette-like leaves brighten up the pond surface starting in spring while all parts sink to the bottom in winter. It is frost-resistant and hardy at temperatures down to -22 °C. The following spring, it sprouts and re-anchors itself.

In its natural habitat, it prefers stagnant bodies of water, calcium-poor but nutrient-rich oxbow lakes and humus sludge lakes. Acidic pond water offers ideal conditions but is not essential. In an aquarium, it can be kept as a single plant, as it then has the ideal nutrient supply and there is no competition from other plants. However, it is advisable to check its compatibility with fish. The plant releases acid and not every fish species can tolerate this.

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