How to Plant Parrot's Feather

Parrot feather, known botanically as Myriophyllum aquaticum, is an aquatic plant with a semi-submersed growth habit. It is native to South America and grows in ponds, lakes, slow rivers, canals and aquariums. The featherlike upper foliage on long stems remains above the water line and grows upright. It flowers from spring through fall and is widely available for sale, but it is considered to be an invasive species in some regions. Parrot feather is appreciated for the vivid blue-green hue of the foliage and its tolerance of varying planting depths. Its delicate, lacy foliage is what makes it a striking plant in the aquatic environment.

Hand trowel

Instructions

- 1
  Excavate a hole with your fingers or a trowel that is big enough to accommodate the root mass of your parrot feather plant in the underwater gravel, rocks or coarse gritty soil at your planting site. It does not need to be buried in soil, but does need to be anchored at the planting site of choice.
- 2
  Bury the plant root mass low enough below the water line that roots and at least the first inch or two of plant is submerged under the water. Parrot feather readily adapts to varying planting depths.
- 3
  Slide the plant out of its pot and set the root ball of the parrot feather plant down into the opening you have made. Alternatively, if you want to control and slightly slow the rooting, you can bury it in the nursery pot it comes in.
- 4
  Push the gravel, stones or gritty coarse soil around the root mass or pot to effectively anchor it in place where you want the plant base to be positioned. Add enough material to create a natural camouflage for the roots or pot.

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