Pistia stratiotes
A large floating rosette of pale-green velvety leaves that trails long feathery roots into the water column. Excellent nitrate sponge and surface shade for shy fish like sparkling gourami. Banned as an invasive in several jurisdictions — check local regulations before introducing.
Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) is a floating aquatic plant for the floating of a planted tank. It reaches 5–15 cm under good conditions and grows at a very fast rate. Light: medium to high. CO₂: not required. Target 20–30 °C, pH 6.0–8.0, and 1–15 dGH. Substrate: Floating — no substrate. Propagate via daughter rosettes from runners.
Care at a glance
A large floating rosette of pale-green velvety leaves that trails long feathery roots into the water column. Excellent nitrate sponge and surface shade for shy fish like sparkling gourami. Banned as an invasive in several jurisdictions — check local regulations before introducing.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated 1 min read
Part of our complete guide to the planted aquarium.
The parameters that decide whether water lettuce fits in your tank.
Araceae
Floating
Floating
Floating — no substrate
Daughter rosettes from runners
Tropics worldwide
Tropics worldwide
Tank-mate safety and the species this one is documented to thrive (or fail) alongside.
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
CO₂ requirement: not required. Light requirement: medium to high. Under stable injected CO₂ the plant grows at a very fast rate.
Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) needs medium to high light. Run a photoperiod of 6–8 hours; longer photoperiods invite algae unless CO₂ and dosing are dialled in.
Position: floating. Substrate: Floating — no substrate It typically reaches 5–15 cm.
Propagation method: Daughter rosettes from runners. Water Lettuce is a floating plant.
Target 20–30 °C, pH 6.0–8.0, and 1–15 dGH. Flow tolerance: low (still water).
Difficulty: 1/5. Almost unkillable, a solid first-tank choice.
A planted tank is a system. Pair this plant with one entry from each other pillar to plan the whole scape.
