The frog spoon genus is a range of marsh and aquatic plants native to wetlands in temperate and/or subtropical zones. Depending on the species, they can grow completely underwater or on land.
Can you plant frog spoons in the pond?
The frog spoon is ideal for garden ponds as it prefers shallow water, sunny locations and nutrient-rich, muddy soil. Its rapid spread and self-seeding make it easy to care for, but controlled pruning is required to prevent pond overgrowth.
In contrast to the related arrowhead, the frogweed is poisonous. Consumption is usually fatal, especially for grazing livestock, with the exception of goats. Although the toxicity disappears during drying, as a precaution the herb should not end up in livestock feed. In humans, contact with the frog's milky sap causes skin irritation and blisters.
The ideal location for frog spoons
What all species of spoonbill frogs have in common is their preference for shallow water and sunny locations with nutrient-rich and muddy soil. They are ideal for planting garden ponds or artificial streams. Ideally, the pH value in the water should be between 5.5 and 8.0.
Planting frog spoons
Plant new rhizomes or young plants in about 10 cm deep water, the plants will spread further on their own. The best time to plant is spring. If you already have frog spoons elsewhere in your garden or pond, you can cut and transplant the rhizomes yourself.
caring for frog spoons
If the location is well chosen, the frog spoon requires little care. Watering is practically unnecessary in a garden pond. There is usually no need to add fertilizer. Check the pH value (€2.00 on Amazon) of the water every now and then and cut back your frog spoon regularly.
The frog spoon tends to grow more or less depending on the species. It forms rhizomes. If you don't cut them off, your entire pond will soon be overgrown. For the same reason, you should remove the flowered seed heads before they mature and self-seed.
The most important thing about frog spoons:
- various types available
- ideal location: as sunny and humid as possible
- poisonous, especially for grazing livestock
- some species proliferate
- including itself
- easy care
Tip
To prevent the frog spoon from overgrowing your entire pond, prevent it from seeding itself and prune it carefully.
