Plant comparison
Floating Watermoss (Salvinia) vs Water Lettuce
How the Floating Watermoss (Salvinia) and Water Lettuce compare on care, size, water and temperament, and which plant suits your tank.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated
TL;DR, Floating Watermoss (Salvinia) vs Water Lettuce
The Floating Watermoss (Salvinia) and the Water Lettuce 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 30 °C and pH 6 to 8, so a single tank can suit either one. Neither is harder than the other to keep, so the choice comes down to look and stocking rather than skill. 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.
1 note
Temperature
- Floating Watermoss (Salvinia)18–30 °C
- Water Lettuce20–30 °C
pH
- Floating Watermoss (Salvinia)6–8
- Water Lettuce6–8
Hardness
- Floating Watermoss (Salvinia)2–20 dGH
- Water Lettuce1–15 dGH
What to plan for
- Water Lettuce is regulatedWater Lettuce is banned or listed as invasive in several US states and parts of Australia / South Africa. Check local rules before sourcing.
Full attributes
Every parameter, side by side| Parameter |  PlantFloating Watermoss (Salvinia)Salvinia natans |  PlantWater LettucePistia stratiotes |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Plant | Plant |
| Origin | Europe, Asia, Africa (warm temperate) | Tropics worldwide |
| Family | Salviniaceae | Araceae |
| Temperature | 18–30 °C | 20–30 °C |
| pH | 6.0–8.0 | 6.0–8.0 |
| Hardness (dGH) | 2–20 | 1–15 |
| Flow rate | Still to Low | Low (still water) |
| Max height | 2–5 cm | 5–15 cm |
| Difficulty | 1 / 5 | 1 / 5 |
| Light | Low to High | Medium to High |
| CO₂ | None | Not required |
| Growth rate | Very 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 Floating Watermoss (Salvinia) and Water Lettuce together?
Yes. Their temperature and pH ranges overlap around 20 to 30 °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 Floating Watermoss (Salvinia) or the Water Lettuce?
They sit at the same care level, both very easy, so neither is the obvious beginner pick. The decision is really about the look you're after.
Do Floating Watermoss (Salvinia) and Water Lettuce need the same water?
Close to it. Aim for 20 to 30 °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 Floating Watermoss (Salvinia) and the Water Lettuce?
Placement and light. The Floating Watermoss (Salvinia) works as floating, the Water Lettuce as floating, and their light needs differ, which is covered in the table.