Water Lettuce

Water Lettuce is a beautiful floating aquarium plant recognized for its soft, velvety, light green leaves that form attractive rosettes on the water's surface. Its long, feathery roots hang beneath the plant, creating a natural refuge for shrimp, fry, and small fish while adding a lush, tropical appearance to your aquarium.

Fast-growing and easy to care for, Water Lettuce is excellent at absorbing excess nutrients from the water, helping to reduce algae growth and improve overall water quality. It also provides natural shade, making it especially beneficial for fish species that prefer dimmer lighting, such as bettas and many South American fish.

Suitable for both beginners and experienced aquarists, Water Lettuce is an excellent choice for planted aquariums, shrimp tanks, breeding setups, and ponds.

Care Guide

Difficulty: Easy

Growth Rate: Fast

Placement: Floating

Lighting: Medium to High (Can adapt to lower light but grows best with moderate to strong lighting)

CO₂: Not required

Temperature: 20–30°C (68–86°F)

pH: 6.0–7.8

Water Hardness: Soft to moderately hard

Propagation: Produces daughter plants on runners that can be separated once established.

Why You'll Love It

• Attractive rosette-shaped floating leaves
• Long, flowing roots provide shelter for shrimp and fry
• Excellent at removing excess nutrients and improving water quality
• Helps reduce algae by competing for nutrients and providing shade
• Fast-growing and easy to maintain
• Ideal for planted tanks, shrimp aquariums, breeding tanks, and ponds

Tip: Water Lettuce grows best in aquariums with minimal surface agitation. Strong splashing or constantly wet leaves can damage the plant and slow its growth.