Pepper grass (Pilularia globulifera). An oxygenating plant that is protected in the wild.

Pepper grass (Pilularia globulifera)

Name: Pepper grass (Pilularia globulifera)
SKU: PILGLO
Availability: InStock

Price range: £10.00 through £22.00

Pepper Grass, also known as Pillwort, is a rare and unusual creeping fern native to the UK. With delicate, hair-like leaves that unfurl from coiled stems, this slow-growing plant reaches just 10-15cm tall. Perfect for pond edges, damp ground, or shallow water up to 30cm deep, it thrives in sunny, unpolluted spots with fluctuating water levels.

Classified as vulnerable and protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, Pepper Grass is declining in the wild. Low-maintenance, pest-free, and ideal for wildlife ponds, it’s a great way to support conservation while adding natural beauty to your garden.

Size

Clear

SKU: PILGLO Categories: Damp/Bog Gardens, Garden Plants, Marginal, Oxygenators, Pond Plants Tags: Bog Garden, Full Sun, Garden Plant, Marginal, Native, Oxygenator

Discover the unique beauty of Pepper Grass, also known as Pillwort, a rare and fascinating native fern that adds a touch of wild charm to the edges of ponds, lakes, ditches, and marshes. This unusual creeping fern is a slow-growing species, reaching a modest height of 10-15cm, with delicate, hair-like leaves that unfurl from tight coils along its creeping stems.

Thriving in shallow waters up to 30cm deep, Pepper Grass is perfectly suited to ponds with fluctuating water levels and the outer shelves of the wildlife pond. It’s also happy in damp, boggy ground and can grow both submerged or out of water, making it a versatile choice for wildlife-friendly gardens.

Unfortunately, this remarkable plant is declining rapidly in the wild and is now classified as vulnerable, protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. By introducing Pepper Grass to your pond or wetland area, you’re not only enhancing your space but also supporting the conservation of a precious native species.

Pepper Grass is low-maintenance, generally pest and disease-free, and thrives in bright, sunny spots. It’s ideal for creating lush, bright green lawns around pond margins, but it won’t tolerate shade or water pollution, so be sure to plant it in clean, well-lit conditions.

Perfect for wildlife enthusiasts and conservation-minded gardeners alike.

Details

Native: Yes
Sun: Full sun
Depth: 0 – 30cm
Height max: 15cm
Spread max: 20cm
Status: Protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act

Care Instructions

Little maintenance is required, just remove any dead foliage as required.

Repotting Instructions

9cm marginal plants require potting into a mesh basket. Place in a pond no deeper than 1/3 maximum recommended planting depth to allow the plants to establish.
1ltr marginal plants do not require repotting but will benefit from a bigger basket, there is no need to remove the mesh basket. Place in pond no deeper than 1/2 maximum recommended planting depth to allow the plants to establish. Plants over 60cm height growth will benefit from repotting into a larger mesh basket or should be planted in gravel to prevent them from falling over in a breeze.
3ltr and 5ltr plants do not require repotting; there is no need to remove the mesh basket. Place on the shelf of the pond at the required depth.