Dwarf Water Lettuce – Pistia stratiotes

Dwarf Water Lettuce, also known as Water Lettuce or Pistia, is a popular floating freshwater plant recognized for its rosette of broad, soft leaves that resemble a small, floating lettuce. Its ability to create a lush cover on the waters surface makes it an attractive choice for aquascaping and improving water quality.

Description:

Common Name: Dwarf Water Lettuce

Scientific Name: Pistia stratiotes

Family: Araceae

Size: Can grow up 1.5 inch (3.8 cm) per plant

Difficulty: Easy

Native Region:

Dwarf Water Lettuce is native to tropical regions worldwide, commonly found in slow-moving or stagnant freshwater bodies such as ponds, lakes, and marshes.

Aquarium Setup:

Tank Size: Suitable for small to large aquariums

Temperature: 70-85F (21-29C)

pH: 6.0-7.5

Lighting: Low to moderate

CO2: Not required

Substrate: Not applicable (free-floating plant)

Additional Tips:

Lush Cover: Provides excellent shade and shelter for fish, shrimp, and fry, making it an ideal addition to community tanks.

Rapid Growth: Quickly covers the water surface, helping to absorb excess nutrients and reduce algae growth.

Requires Regular Maintenance: Needs occasional thinning to prevent excessive coverage that could block light from reaching submerged plants.