Curly Leaf Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes)

PLEASE NOTE: We cannot ship this plant to Alabama, California, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, or Wisconsin.

Due to its potential to become an invasive plant, this plant must never be introduced to US native waterways.

Curly Leaf Water Lettuce is a very popular and durable floating plant with exceptional denitrification and water clarifying qualities for both ponds and aquariums!

(All of our floating plants are grown at an outdoor nursery, there is a chance of duckweed being in any floating plant package)

Curly Leaf Water Lettuce (Pistia statiotes), also known as Water Cabbage, is a floating plant that is believed to be native to Africa, but has been introduced to many waterways throughout the world. It is much larger than many other floating plants, so it is an excellent option for providing shade and cover for more reclusive species. Its leaves are substantial and will float at the water's surface, which can also be very useful for small semi-aquatic animals in terrariums and paludariums. Curly Leaf Water Lettuce has remarkable denitrification and water clarification abilities, so it is very useful in helping to keep water clean.

Care is moderate for Curly Leaf Water Lettuce. Since it is a floating plant, it does not require planting in the substrate and only its underside should be wet. It can be extremely prolific in ponds, but is generally slower to propagate in the aquarium. It is typically grown in areas of at least partial shade, so it should be acclimated to higher light very slowly in the aquarium. If it is exposed to high light too quickly, its leaves will yellow with damage. When it is thriving, Curly Leaf Water Lettuce can easily overrun an aquarium or pond, so some plants will need to be removed as they multiply or else they will prevent gas exchange and light penetration. It requires relatively still water with very little movement, so it should not be placed in the current of filter outflow. It does not typically overwinter or tolerate cold temperatures.

Like most plants, Curly Leaf Water Lettuce will benefit from supplementation such as Seachem Flourish, Flourish Excel, nitrogen, iron, and other plant supplements.

No aquarium plant distributor/nursery/wholesaler/retailer can or will guarantee their plants to be 100% snail free. We cannot guarantee our plants will be snail free.

We currently offer this plant in the following size:

What We Like About This Plant:

• Large floating plant that is ideal for providing shade and refuge
• Excellent plant for denitrification
• Very easy to propagate
• Provides great cover for animal fry
• Hardy and durable

Care Guidelines:

• Temperature: 66° - 80° F (19° - 27° C)
• pH: 6.5 - 7.2
• Lighting: Moderate to High, Partial to Full Shade in ponds
• Origin: Nursery grown, but indigenous to Africa
• Aquarium placement: Floating
• Care: Moderate
• US Pond Hardiness Zones: 9-11

All Aquatic Arts brand plants and animals come with a 100% live arrival guarantee, plus free email support!