Water Lettuce
Water Lettuce
Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) is a floating plant that forms rosettes of soft, ribbed, pale-green leaves resembling little heads of lettuce. Its long trailing roots provide superb cover for fry and shrimp while pulling excess nutrients from the water. It multiplies quickly, so thin it now and then to keep light reaching plants below.
Care level: Easy · Placement: Floating · Lighting: Low-Medium · CO2: Not required · Growth rate: Fast · Propagation: runners (daughter plants)
At a glance
- Scientific name
- Pistia stratiotes
- Common name
- Water Lettuce
- Water type
- Freshwater
- Care level
- Easy
When it ships
Most non-quarantined stock goes out the week you order. If we do not already have the animal in-house we source it first — allow up to two weeks for it to reach us. Live animals leave Monday and Tuesday, and Early AM Overnight is the only service that carries a live arrival guarantee.
The live guarantee
Shipped Early AM Overnight: a 1-hour DOA window from confirmed delivery, and nothing beyond it. Next Day Air and 2-Day carry no live arrival guarantee, and neither does USPS Priority. Local pickup or local delivery: 24 hours, if you bring a water sample from your aquarium and we test it before the animal goes home. Maintenance clients: 60 days when we service the aquarium at least twice a month, 28 days on a monthly plan.
Expert guidance
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Cameron draws on 25+ years in the hobby and a marine biology background to help you choose the right fit for your system.