Description

Water lettuce forms floating rosettes of velvety leaves resembling a small lettuce, with a feathery hanging root system that can reach twenty centimetres. That root mesh is its greatest virtue in the aquarium: it filters nitrate with enormous efficiency and offers shelter to fry. Be aware that in many countries it is an invasive species and its sale is restricted.
Scientific name
Pistia stratiotes
Position
All
Difficulty
Easy
Natural grow
High
Max height
15 cm

🌊 Water parameters

pH
6 - 7.5
GH
3 - 15
Temperature
22 - 28 °C
Current
Low or moderate

Requirements

Light requirements
Medium
Light spectrum requirements
6000 - 8000 (Kelvin)
Require CO2
no
Soil requirements
Floating

Habitats

Sources

  • GBIF
    GBIF Secretariat (2026). GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Checklist dataset. https://doi.org/10.15468/39omei. Consultado vía GBIF.org, 2026-08. Pistia stratiotes.

Taxonomy verified.

The aquarium care values (light, substrate, CO2 and water ranges) have no citable source: GBIF supports the taxonomy and distribution, not the cultivation. A source for plants is still to be agreed.