Water Lettuce Pond Plant - Care & Grow Guide
by Tory Jon | Last Updated: November 15, 2022
Pond Academy is reader-supported. Buying through links on our site may earn us an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Water Lettuce is often mistaken for a floating head of cabbage. This is understandable as both are similar in appearance and float on the water’s surface. It features ribbed and velvety foliage, usually in light green to lime-green color.
Water Lettuce or Pistia Stratiotes was discovered 2000 years ago along the Nile River. The earliest documentation of the plant can be found in ancient Greek botanists’ writings and Egyptian hieroglyphics. They are everywhere – marshes, lakes, bogs – across all continents except Antarctica.
Pond and water garden owners prefer Water Lettuce because it helps keeps the water clean by preventing algae growth. It also absorbs heavy metal toxins, including cadmium and zinc, from water.
That said, it is important to note that Water Lettuce can become quite intrusive due to its vigorous growth, especially in the Southern states.
Common Names
Water cabbage, water lettuce, Nile cabbage, shellflower, Pistia Stratioes
Plant Type
Floating plant
Light Requirements
Partial to Full Shade
Hardiness Zones
USDA 9-11
Bloom
Late summer to early fall
Grow Up To
12 inch spread
Flower Color
White, yellow
How To Plant Water Lettuce In A Pond
After buying your Water Lettuce in small groups or by the head, detach all yellow leaves in preparation for planting. The best time to plant is during late April when the last frost of the season has gone. To plant, spread the lettuce across your pond and ensure minimal movement.
Tip: Tie a fishing line around the bunch of water lettuce you placed in the pond to help keep them immobilized.
Despite being a tropical plant, Water Lettuce thrives most when summer is just starting, with the temperatures still around 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15 Celsius).
For best results, install a partial shade for your Water Lettuce during midday. This protects them against peak mid-day temperatures, especially in hot climates.
Important
Koi pond owners will need to plant Water lettuce in an area inaccessible by their fish as koi like to eat the roots and foliage of this plant.
Get Our Best Pond Tips Sent to Your Inbox for Free!
Join thousands of others and learn from our decades of pond building and maintenance experience! Your pond will thank you!
By subscribing you agree to receive emails from PondAcademy.com. We will always respect your privacy and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Water Lettuce Care Guide
It is recommended to prune or trim the flowers and leaves once they start turning brown or yellow. Discarding these leaves and flowers outside of your pond helps to minimize the excess organic material contained in the water.
Water Lettuce does not require fertilization to reproduce – all the required nutrients come from the excess nutrients in the pond water.
Winter Care
Water Lettuce struggles with freezing temperatures or cold water, with the leaves turning white before rotting. So, if you are in Zones 8 and lower, discard your Water Lettuce at the end of the first frost.
Water Lettuce Care Card
Download our free printable care card for the Water Lettuce plant! Click the care card below and save the PDF file to your computer. You can easily print off the 3x5 care card or access it right from your phone. Get all the important information you need to keep your Water Lettuce plants healthy and happy!
Plus, we provide a blank card for you to print and fill out yourself. Print it as many times as you like to create cards for all your plants!
Pond Plant Care Card Set
