Pista stratiotes (Water Lettuce)

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.