Description
Water Lettuce forms rosettes of soft, ridged, velvety leaves that float freely on the surface, giving tanks a lush, natural look while out-competing algae for excess nutrients. It also provides shade that many shade-loving plants and shy fish appreciate, and its trailing roots are a favourite hiding spot for shrimp and fry. Medium light is enough, since a strong lamp close to the surface can scorch the leaves. It also needs stable humidity above the waterline to avoid leaf-edge browning — keep it away from strong surface agitation and direct AC drafts.
What you get: one Water Lettuce plant (a single rosette with its roots), similar in size to the photo.
For growing, propagation and root-rot prevention tips, see our Water Lettuce care guide.
Care at a glance
- Placement: Water surface
- Light: Medium, about 6–8 hours in an aquarium
- CO₂: Not needed
- pH: 6.0–7.5
- Temperature: 21–30°C
- Growth: Fast
- Difficulty: Easy
Best in larger tanks, tubs and ponds with calm water. In a tank, leave a gap of a few centimetres between the leaves and the lid or lamp. A loose cover keeps humidity up, but condensation dripping from a tight lid rots the leaves. Give it space so the rosettes do not crowd and rot. Read the full water lettuce care guide for planting, trimming and troubleshooting tips.
Compare light, CO2, growth rate and difficulty for every plant we stock in the aquarium plant care chart.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of water lettuce?
Water lettuce takes up ammonia, nitrate and phosphate straight from the water, so it competes with algae for the same nutrients. Its rosettes shade the tank, which helps shy fish like bettas and gouramis settle. The long, feathery roots give shrimp and fry a safe place to hide. It needs no CO₂ or substrate and grows fast, so a small start soon covers a corner.
Is water lettuce good for an aquarium?
Yes, if the tank has calm water, medium light and some open space above the surface. Keep it at 21–30°C and pH 6.0–7.5; CO₂ is not needed. It suits bettas, gouramis, guppies and shrimp, but goldfish and many large cichlids eat or shred it. Keep it away from filter outflow and hot lamps, and remove extras weekly so at least half the surface stays open.
What is the common name for Pistia stratiotes?
Water lettuce is the common name for Pistia stratiotes. It is also called water cabbage, Nile cabbage and shellflower. The name comes from its rosette of pale green, ridged, velvety leaves, which looks like a small open head of lettuce floating on the water. It belongs to the arum family (Araceae) and is the only species in its genus, Pistia.
Is water lettuce free floating?
Yes, water lettuce is fully free-floating. You do not plant it in substrate or tie it to wood; just float it on the surface and its feathery roots hang freely in the water. It spreads by short runners that form daughter rosettes. In a tank, adult rosettes usually stay 5–10 cm across; in ponds they grow bigger. It is a serious weed in Indian waterways, so never dump extras into lakes, rivers or drains.
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