Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes)

In-store pickup only.

Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) is a fast-growing tropical floating plant with soft, velvety rosettes that drift on the surface and dangle long, feathery roots into the water column. Loved for the shaded refuge it creates for fry and shrimp, it's a beginner-friendly nitrate sponge that thrives in warm, well-lit freshwater tanks. Pair it with our other freshwater aquarium plants.

Care Guide

• Position: Floating — never anchor the rosette. Roots hang freely below.
• Tank size: 10 gallons minimum. Larger tanks let the colony spread without crowding.
• Temperature: 72–86°F (22–30°C). Best growth above 72°F.
• pH: 6.0–7.5. Tolerates a wider range with patience.
• Hardness: Soft to moderate, 3–8 dGH preferred.
• Lighting: Medium light, 10–12 hours per day. Avoid intense direct light close to the rosettes — leaves can scorch.
• CO2: Not required (leaves sit above the water and draw CO2 from air).
• Surface flow: Keep it gentle. Strong surface flow flips rosettes and rots them — point HOB outputs sideways or use a flow baffle.
• Maintenance: Thin the colony weekly once it covers more than ~50% of the surface so light still reaches plants and fish below. Trim brown or rotting leaves at the base.

Specifications

Tank Pairings

• Bettas: Shaded surface is exactly what bettas love. Try our Female Bettas or Male Plakat Bettas.
• Shrimp tanks: The dangling roots are a shrimp playground and grazing surface — perfect with Rili Red Shrimp or other Neocaridina.
• Breeding tanks: Excellent fry cover for livebearers, gouramis, and bubblenesters.
• Pair with other floaters: Red Root Floater and Amazon Frogbit for layered surface coverage.

Use with caution: Strong surface agitation, very bright lighting close to the leaves, and large goldfish or African cichlids that will tear up the roots.

Recommended Supplies

• Seachem Prime — water conditioner for the inevitable trim-and-water-change rhythm
• More live freshwater plants — pair Water Lettuce with rooted background plants for a balanced scape
• Water care & maintenance
• Shop more freshwater livestock & supplies

Frequently Asked Questions

How fast does Water Lettuce grow?
Very fast under good conditions — expect a single rosette to multiply into a thick mat in a few weeks. Plan to thin it weekly so light still reaches plants below.

Will it work under my hood/lid?
Yes, as long as there's a few inches of air space above the water and the lid lets enough light in. Closed lids trap humidity, which Water Lettuce loves, but pressed leaves against the glass will brown.

Why are my leaves turning yellow or melting?
Two common causes: (1) light is too intense or too close — raise the fixture or shorten photoperiod; (2) the rosette is constantly wet on top from splash or HOB output — keep the crown dry by reducing surface agitation.

Is it safe with my fish and shrimp?
Yes — Water Lettuce is non-toxic to fish and invertebrates. Avoid keeping it with large herbivorous fish (goldfish, big plecos, koi) that will shred it.