Tammy SonsFounder/CEO, TN Nursery · CEO TN Nursery

Water Willow Plant, Justica Americana - TN Nursery

4 Aug 2022 · 3 min

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2:48

In this TN Nursery video, the presenter provides a concise horticultural profile of water willow (Justicia americana). The plant is an evergreen perennial in the Acanthaceae family, native to warm temperate and tropical regions of the New World, with the American species being the hardiest, reaching as far north as southern Alaska. It grows partially submerged from creeping rhizomes, forming thick underground stems that produce shoots and roots. The plant reaches a maximum height of about 3 ft 4 in, bears violet‑white flowers from early summer through autumn, and thrives in shallow water or on lake and pond banks with rocky or sandy soils. It requires consistently moist soil and full sun exposure. Propagation occurs via both seeds and vegetative rhizome spread, making it difficult to control; however, herbicides such as Weedar P4 and fluoridone products (Vast, Sonar, Whitecap) are reported effective. The video concludes by noting that water willow is available for purchase at Tennessee Wholesale Nursery with low prices and fast shipping.

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Welcome to TN Nursery YouTube channel. Today let's talk about water willow. Water willow, an evergreen perennial of the genus Justicia, is native to the New World's warm temperate and tropical areas. There are at least 76 species, of which the American Justicia americana is the hardiest, able to grow as far north as southern Alaska. It grows partially submerged from creeping rhizomes, thick plants that grow underground from which shoots and roots grow. Justicia americana Lantana is a small plant reaching no more than 3 feet 4 inches. Its violet and white flowers come out early in the summer and bloom until autumn is well underway. It prefers to grow in shallow water or on the banks of lakes and ponds where the soil is either rocky or sandy, forming colonies in those areas. This plant requires soil that is high in moisture and total exposure to the sun. Because these plants propagate from both seeds and roots, they are rather difficult to control. However, several compounds, particularly Weedar p4 and the fluoridone compounds of Vast, Sonar, and Whitecap have proven to be effective at keeping their numbers down. Water willow, scientifically known as Justicia americana, is an aquatic herbaceous flowering plant belonging to the Acanthaceae family. Water willow is for sale at Tennessee Wholesale Nursery with low prices and fast shipping. Thanks for watching.