Water lettuce (floating)
Pistia stratiotes
PlantsFreshwater
- Care level
- Easy
- Maximum size
- 20 cm
- Temperature
- 20–28 °C
- pH
- 6–7.8
- Light
- Medium
- Diet
- Photosynthetic
Care at a glance
Water lettuce is a floating plant that forms rosettes of velvety, ribbed leaves, so the whole thing looks like small heads of lettuce. Beneath hangs a dense mass of roots in which shrimp and young fish like to shelter.
Important: in the European Union this species is on the list of invasive alien species, which makes sale, possession and distribution prohibited. Never release it into the wild and check the rules in your country if in doubt.
Related species
Keep Water lettuce (floating) in the BlubHub app
Add this species to your inhabitants, with count and photos, and see the care info next to your own water values, target bands and reminders. Free, no account, everything on your own device.
Values are mainstream hobbyist guidance, not gospel — always watch what your own animals need.