Product Overview
Variegated Four Leaf Water Clover (Marsilea mutica)
The 1" to 3" four leaf clovers float on the water surface and root into soil. Leaves are highly and attractively variegated with concentric circles of varying shades of green and brown on each petal. Water clover multiplies by underground and floating runners; it is a fast grower and a good plant to help cover the water surface. Be sure to keep it restrained in pots unless you want it to take over, and do not release into natural waterways. When grown in very shallow water, the leaves will grow up out of the water, giving a much different appearance (see photos).
Although called a clover, this plant is (surprisingly) actually a fern! Don't ask us how this affects its being a good luck charm, but we prefer to think it is still magical.
We ship variegated water clover in its emersed form, with the leaves grown out of the water. This is because emersed leaves are thicker and tougher, and hold up better in transit. The floating leaf form gets much bigger leaves, and is also much more beautifully variegated; check out all the photos to see the difference! It's very easy to transform an emersed form to a floating form--just pot it and put it completely under water. In a few days the leaves will pop up to the surface, and you can watch as they get larger and more variegated.
Hardiness Zone: 5-11
Planting Container: We recommend a 2 gallon solid planting container or a medium planting bag.
Light Requirements: full sun to part shade
Height: Floating to 6" - Spread: Running
Water Depth: Moist Soil or water up to 3' deep (Maximum water depth is for mature bog plants)
For planting instructions see our: Planting Instructions for Bog Plants Page.
Four Leaf Water Clover (Marsilea mutica) is restricted in LA and OK - Know your state laws.
