Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes)

Pistia stratiotes produces distinctive pale-green, velvety rosette leaves that float effortlessly on the water surface with an impressive trailing root system below. An excellent nitrate absorber and provider of natural cover for fish fry, it thrives under medium to high light and spreads via daughter plants from the mother rosette. A classic and widely loved addition to tropical aquariums and ponds across Belgium.

Provide medium to high light at the water surface. Float freely — does not anchor into substrate. Temperature 20–30°C; remove from outdoor ponds before first autumn frost. Gently trim roots if they become excessively long in smaller tanks. Supplement with dilute liquid fertiliser in closed aquarium systems. Do not introduce into natural water bodies.