Plant comparison
Riccia Fluitans vs Floating Watermoss (Salvinia)
How the Riccia Fluitans and Floating Watermoss (Salvinia) compare on care, size, water and temperament, and which plant suits your tank.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated
TL;DR, Riccia Fluitans vs Floating Watermoss (Salvinia)
The Riccia Fluitans and the Floating Watermoss (Salvinia) come up together a lot when people are choosing a plant, and they are close enough to weigh side by side. Both are happy somewhere around 20 to 28 °C and pH 6 to 8, so a single tank can suit either one. The Floating Watermoss (Salvinia) is the more forgiving of the two, which matters if this is an early tank, while the Riccia Fluitans rewards a bit more attention. In a low-tech, low-light setup the Floating Watermoss (Salvinia) is the safer bet; the other really wants brighter light to look its best.
Group compatibility overview
Excellent fit
Every key parameter overlaps and no major conflicts surfaced.
Temperature
- Riccia Fluitans20–28 °C
- Floating Watermoss (Salvinia)18–30 °C
pH
- Riccia Fluitans6–8
- Floating Watermoss (Salvinia)6–8
Hardness
- Riccia Fluitans1–15 dGH
- Floating Watermoss (Salvinia)2–20 dGH
Full attributes
Every parameter, side by side| Parameter |  PlantRiccia FluitansRiccia fluitans |  PlantFloating Watermoss (Salvinia)Salvinia natans |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Plant | Plant |
| Origin | Cosmopolitan | Europe, Asia, Africa (warm temperate) |
| Family | Ricciaceae | Salviniaceae |
| Temperature | 20–28 °C | 18–30 °C |
| pH | 6.0–8.0 | 6.0–8.0 |
| Hardness (dGH) | 1–15 | 2–20 |
| Flow rate | Low | Still to Low |
| Max height | 1–3 cm | 2–5 cm |
| Difficulty | 2 / 5 | 1 / 5 |
| Light | Medium to High | Low to High |
| CO₂ | Recommended | None |
| Growth rate | Fast | Very Fast |
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
Can you keep Riccia Fluitans and Floating Watermoss (Salvinia) together?
Yes. Their temperature and pH ranges overlap around 20 to 28 °C and pH 6 to 8, so one set of water conditions keeps both comfortable. Match group sizes and cover the usual planted-tank basics and they share a tank fine.
Which is easier to keep, the Riccia Fluitans or the Floating Watermoss (Salvinia)?
The Floating Watermoss (Salvinia) is the easier of the two, closer to very easy, while the Riccia Fluitans leans beginner-friendly.
Do Riccia Fluitans and Floating Watermoss (Salvinia) need the same water?
Close to it. Aim for 20 to 28 °C and pH 6 to 8 and you're in the shared sweet spot for both. Full ranges are in the table above.
What's the main difference between the Riccia Fluitans and the Floating Watermoss (Salvinia)?
Placement and light. The Riccia Fluitans works as foreground or floating, the Floating Watermoss (Salvinia) as floating, and their light needs differ, which is covered in the table.