6 Dwarf Water Lettuce Starter Plants, Floating Plants

(these are starter plants with 2-4 leaves each)

Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) Care Guide

 

Water Lettuce is a popular floating aquatic plant known for its attractive rosette-like foliage and ability to provide shade and cover for fish in ponds and aquariums. Below is a comprehensive care guide to help you grow and maintain healthy Water Lettuce.

Basic Information

• Scientific Name: Pistia stratiotes

• Common Names: Water Lettuce, Shellflower

• Plant Type: Floating aquatic plant

• Origin: Tropical and subtropical regions worldwide

• Growth Rate: Fast under ideal conditions

Care Requirements

 

1. Lighting

• Prefers moderate to high light to thrive.

• In aquariums, use a full-spectrum LED light for 8–10 hours daily.

• Too much light can cause excessive growth and browning of leaves.

 

2. Water Parameters

• Temperature: 72–86°F (22–30°C)

• pH Level: 6.5–7.5

• Hardness: Soft to moderately hard (3–12 dGH)

• Water Flow: Low; strong currents can damage delicate roots.

 

3. Nutrients & Fertilization

• Absorbs nutrients directly from the water, helping to control nitrate levels.

• Benefits from liquid fertilizers rich in nitrogen and potassium if grown in low-nutrient water.

• CO₂ supplementation is unnecessary.

 

4. Placement & Spacing

• Avoid overcrowding; spacing out plants allows better air circulation and prevents rot.

• Ensure the leaves remain dry—constant moisture on leaves can lead to rot.

 

5. Propagation

• Propagates by producing daughter plants connected by short stolons.

• Can be manually separated and placed in different areas of the tank or pond.

 

6. Compatibility

• Good for: Goldfish, Betta fish, Guppies, Shrimp, and other peaceful fish.

• Not ideal for: Large, plant-eating fish like Cichlids and Koi, which may damage the leaves.

Common Problems & Solutions

Problem	Cause	Solution
Yellowing leaves	Nutrient deficiency, old leaves	Remove old leaves, add liquid fertilizer
Rotting leaves	Too much humidity or wet leaves	Improve air circulation, remove damaged leaves
Overgrowth	Too much light, excess nutrients	Thin out plants regularly
Algae issues	Too much light, high nutrients	Reduce light duration, increase water changes