Tape Grass

Vallisneria americana

· wetland aquatic · native

Last updated March 8, 2026

Quick Facts

Height

1 ft

Growth Rate

Fast

Light

Full Sun

Soil

Wet Tolerant

Water

High

Hardiness

Zones 4a–9b

Bloom Time

mid summer

Origin

Pacific Northwest native

View full calendar (7 stages)

Stage	Typical Window	What to Look For
Bud break BBCH 07	May 15-Jun 15	Buds swelling and beginning to open; first green tissue visible
Leaf emergence BBCH 11	Jun 1-Jul 1	First leaves fully unfurled on new growth
Bloom start BBCH 61	Jul 1-Jul 31	First open flowers visible
Bloom end / petal fall BBCH 69	Jul 15-Aug 15	Last petals falling; flower structures fading
Fruit/seed development BBCH 71	Jun 1-Aug 31	Fruit or seed structures forming; fruit color: green
Leaf drop BBCH 93	Oct 15-Nov 30	Leaves yellowing and dropping; no significant fall color display
Dormancy BBCH 97	Nov 15-Feb 28	Leafless; no active growth; dormant buds set

Data Maturity

Baseline Extension data. Expert review underway.