Birch Meadow

curly waterweed removal

curly waterweed

We provide invasive species control in North Devon and West Somerset.

Invasive plants can severely impact gardens, ponds, and waterways, threatening biodiversity and the health of local ecosystems. As trusted landscape specialists in North Devon and West Somerset, Birch Meadow Landscaping provides expert identification, control, and removal of invasive plants that can quickly take over your land or water features.

Whether it’s Curly Waterweed, Japanese Knotweed, or American Skunk Cabbage, we use safe, effective, and environmentally responsible methods to restore balance and protect your property for the long term.

Curly Waterweed & Why It Must Be Removed

Curly Waterweed (Lagarosiphon major) may look like a harmless pond plant, but it’s one of the most problematic aquatic invasives in the UK. Originally introduced as an oxygenating plant for ponds and aquariums, it has escaped into the wild and is now choking waterways across England.

Once established, it forms dense underwater mats that block light, restrict water flow, and reduce oxygen levels, creating an environment where native plants, fish, and other wildlife struggle to survive.

How It Reached the UK

Curly Waterweed was first imported from Southern Africa for ornamental use in ponds and aquariums. Over time, unwanted fragments and discarded plant material entered natural waterways, where the species thrived.

Because even a single fragment can regrow into a full plant, it spreads rapidly through rivers, lakes, canals, and wetlands. Today, infestations are increasingly common across North Devon and West Somerset, where the plant threatens both private ponds and larger water bodies.

Why It’s a Problem in North Devon and West Somerset

Curly Waterweed poses several major challenges:

  • Dense underwater growth – Thick mats of vegetation block sunlight and reduce oxygen, harming fish and aquatic plants.
  • Disrupts water flow – It clogs rivers, ditches, and ponds, increasing flood risk and reducing water quality.
  • Threatens biodiversity – Outcompetes native aquatic species, impacting amphibians, insects, and birdlife.
  • Difficult to control – Even small fragments can regrow, making DIY removal risky and often ineffective.

Listed under Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is illegal to plant or cause Curly Waterweed to spread in the wild.

How to Remove Curly Waterweed

Managing Curly Waterweed requires great care to prevent further spread.

1. Physical Removal
Plants can be cut, raked, or pulled from the water, but fragments must be carefully collected to stop regrowth. Professional removal ensures the process is contained and compliant with waste regulations.

2. Netting and Barriers
Temporary barriers or nets can be used to catch floating fragments during removal or to prevent spread to nearby areas.

3. Herbicide Control
In certain cases, licensed herbicide treatments may be necessary. These must only be carried out by trained professionals to avoid harming aquatic life.

4. Long-Term Monitoring
Because waterweed fragments can survive for months, regular monitoring and follow-up treatments are essential for complete eradication.

Professional Help With Curly Waterweed Removal

At Birch Meadow Landscaping, we’re experienced in managing aquatic invasive species throughout North Devon and West Somerset.

  • Specialist knowledge – We understand how to remove Curly Waterweed safely without damaging local ecosystems.
  • Effective and compliant methods – All treatments follow environmental best practice and UK legislation.
  • Long-term solutions – We provide management plans to monitor and prevent regrowth.
  • Habitat protection – Our approach minimises disruption to native plants, fish, and wildlife.

If you’re dealing with Curly Waterweed in your pond, lake, or stream, our team can provide professional removal and ongoing management to restore the health of your waterway.

Preventing Further Spread

To help reduce the spread of Curly Waterweed:

  • Never dump pond or aquarium plants into rivers, canals, or natural water bodies.
  • Dispose of aquatic plants responsibly via council-approved facilities.
  • Choose native alternatives such as Water Crowfoot (Ranunculus aquatilis) or Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum) for ponds.

Protecting Local Waterways

Curly Waterweed is more than an unsightly nuisance, it’s an invasive aquatic plant that can choke waterways, reduce oxygen, and devastate native wildlife in England’s rivers and wetlands.

With early action and professional management, infestations can be brought under control.

Birch Meadow Landscaping are trusted specialists in invasive plant removal across North Devon and West Somerset. Contact us today for expert advice, removal, and long-term prevention of Curly Waterweed in your ponds or waterways.

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