{"product_id":"water-lettuce-pistia-stratiotes-freshwater","title":"Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Lettuce\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003ePistia stratiotes\u003c\/em\u003e) 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 \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-aquarium-plants\"\u003efreshwater aquarium plants\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Floating — never anchor the rosette. Roots hang freely below.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10 gallons minimum. Larger tanks let the colony spread without crowding.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 72–86°F (22–30°C). Best growth above 72°F.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6.0–7.5. Tolerates a wider range with patience.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Soft to moderate, 3–8 dGH preferred.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLighting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Medium light, 10–12 hours per day. Avoid intense direct light close to the rosettes — leaves can scorch.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCO2:\u003c\/strong\u003e Not required (leaves sit above the water and draw CO2 from air).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSurface flow:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep it gentle. Strong surface flow flips rosettes and rots them — point HOB outputs sideways or use a flow baffle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:560px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eWater Lettuce (Dwarf Water Lettuce)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003ePistia stratiotes\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAraceae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePantropical (Africa, Americas, Asia)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLighting\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eMedium (10–12 hrs\/day)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eFloating (surface)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCO2 Requirement\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eNot required\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eFast\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eRosette ~2–6 in across; roots 4–12 in long\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eFreshwater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;\"\u003eTank Pairings\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBettas:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shaded surface is exactly what bettas love. Try our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/female-betta-assorted-colors-betta-splendens-freshwater\"\u003eFemale Bettas\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/green-black-dragon-plakat-male-betta-splendens-freshwater\"\u003eMale Plakat Bettas\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShrimp tanks:\u003c\/strong\u003e The dangling roots are a shrimp playground and grazing surface — perfect with \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/rili-red-shrimp-neocaridina-davidi-freshwater\"\u003eRili Red Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e or other Neocaridina.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBreeding tanks:\u003c\/strong\u003e Excellent fry cover for livebearers, gouramis, and bubblenesters.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePair with other floaters:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/red-root-floater-phyllanthus-fluitans-freshwater\"\u003eRed Root Floater\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/frogbit-portion-cup-limnobium-spongia\"\u003eAmazon Frogbit\u003c\/a\u003e for layered surface coverage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUse with caution:\u003c\/strong\u003e Strong surface agitation, very bright lighting close to the leaves, and large goldfish or African cichlids that will tear up the roots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;\"\u003eRecommended Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-prime-complete-concentrated-water-conditioner\"\u003eSeachem Prime\u003c\/a\u003e — water conditioner for the inevitable trim-and-water-change rhythm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-aquarium-plants\"\u003eMore live freshwater plants\u003c\/a\u003e — pair Water Lettuce with rooted background plants for a balanced scape\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/maintenance-water-care\"\u003eWater care \u0026amp; maintenance\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003eShop more freshwater livestock \u0026amp; supplies\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow fast does Water Lettuce grow?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nVery 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it work under my hood\/lid?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nYes, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy are my leaves turning yellow or melting?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nTwo 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it safe with my fish and shrimp?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nYes — Water Lettuce is non-toxic to fish and invertebrates. Avoid keeping it with large herbivorous fish (goldfish, big plecos, koi) that will shred it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48779879055579,"sku":"FW5-SWALE","price":6.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/xJ3jb6tSfFSbsavnuxsSLi.jpg?v=1778964072","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/water-lettuce-pistia-stratiotes-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}