Water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) is a free-floating aquatic plant that resembles a small open head of lettuce. It is popular in ponds and some open-top aquariums because of its attractive appearance and excellent water-filtering ability.
Description
- Growth form: Free-floating; it is not planted in the substrate.
- Leaves: Soft, thick, velvety, light green leaves arranged in a rosette. The leaves have distinct parallel ridges and repel water.
- Roots: Long, feathery white to black roots that hang beneath the plant, providing shelter for fish fry and shrimp.
- Size: Typically grows 5–20 cm wide, depending on conditions.
- Growth rate: Fast, producing daughter plants through runners.
Growing conditions
- Light: Medium to high light.
- Temperature: 22–28°C.
- CO₂: Not required.
- Fertilizer: Usually absorbs nutrients directly from the water, so additional fertilization is often unnecessary in nutrient-rich tanks or ponds.