Alternative species (click on the thumbnail to see the card)
Names
Scientific name
Pistia stratiotes
Common name
Water cabbage
Water lettuce
Nile cabbage
Shellflower
Origin
Origin: Africa (Nil, Lake Victoria)
Ideal fertilization
CO2: 5-40mg/l
Nitrates (NO3): 10-50mg/l
Phosphates (PO4): 0.1-3mg/l
Potassium (K): 5-30mg/l
iron (Fe): 0.01-0.5mg/l
Group
Araceae
Kind
Floating Plant
Parameters
T°: 17 to 30°C or 63 to 88°F
pH: 5 to 7
Hardness: 1 to 10°dGH
Difficulty
Average
Lighting
Strong
Size
5 to 25 cm (2 to 10")
Plantation
Everywhere
Growth
Fast
Presentation
Presentation
Who is the Water lettuce?
This perennial plant floats on the surface of our aquariums. It forms an interesting vegetation cover to sift the lighting (which many fish appreciate), offers hiding places for fry and some surface fish will also use them to build their bubble nest.
Like many floating plants, it participates effectively in the fight against algae by feeding on the nutrients in the water and at the same time depriving the algae of these substances.
Planting and maintenance
Planting and maintenance
How to plant and maintain the Water lettuce?
Its favorite medium is an open aquarium, where the plant grows quickly and becomes quite large.
The hardness of the water should not exceed 10°dGH (for this, cut off the water to osmosis water to obtain the desired GH). Good light is also essential for its development. A lighting intensity of 3000 Lux or 1 Watt for 2 liters or 0.5 gallons of water is recommended. If these two conditions are met, water lettuce will grow and multiply rapidly.
In order not to penalize the other plants in your aquarium too much, limit the spread of this plant so that there is enough light below. You can remove part of it during your weekly cleaning for example.
If you keep it in the pool, make sure it does not freeze.
Farming
Farming
How to farm the Water lettuce?
In good conditions, the multiplication of this plant is fast. It is carried out by numerous lateral discharges.
Good To know
Good To know
Find all additional information!
It is an excellent choice as a pond plant because goldfish do not eat it! On the other hand, the koi carp will like it very much...
Its name "PISITIA" comes from the Latin "PISTOS" which means “to drink”.
Pistia stratiotes has become an invasive plant causing serious nuisance in some tropical countries.
Yours photos!
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