Printed at Aquascapes Unlimited, www.aquascapesunlimited.com
Justicia americana - Water willow

Native Wetland Plants

Justicia americana

Water willow

More About Water willow

  • Attracts butterflies

Justicia americana, Water willow, grows from creeping rhizomes in large dense colonies submerged along the shorelines of lakes, ponds, and standing water. The hardiest of the Justicia species, the Water willow grows 1-2' tall above the water and produces brilliant white flowers with purplish upper lips.  Justicia americana is a great plant for ponds and streams where the water level fluctuates greatly.

Bloom Color

Blue

Justicia americana Characteristics & Attributes

Exposure
• Sun
• Partial Shade
Mature Height
• 1' - 2'
Spread Characteristics
• Stoloniferous - Rapid
Season of Interest (Flowering)
• Spring
Season of Interest (Foliage)
• Spring
• Summer
Pond Zonation
• High Marsh - Saturated Soil
• Low Marsh 0 - 6"
• Shallow Water 6" - 12"
Foliage Color
• Green
Wildlife Benefits
• Amphibians
• Bees/Pollinators
• Butterflies
• Cover
• Fish
• Food
• Hummingbirds
• Nesting
• Songbirds
• Waterfowl
Critter Resistance
• Deer Resistant
• Goose Resistant
Wetland Indicator Status
• OBL
Plant Type
• Flowering Perennial
• Marginal
Attributes
• Drought Tolerant
• Erosion Control
• Ground Cover
• Mass Planting
• Native
• Naturalizing
• Rain Garden
• Storm Water Basin
USDA Hardiness Zone
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
• 11
Printed at www.aquascapesunlimited.com
© Copyright 2026 Aquascapes Unlimited. All Rights Reserved.
P.O. Box 364 · Pipersville, PA 18947 USA · Tel.: (215)766-8151