Dwarf Water Lettuce 

Scientific Name:  Pistia stratiotes

Common Names: Small Water Lettuce, Dwarf Water Lettuce

The Dwarf Water Lettuce, also known as Pistia stratiotes, is an excellent water plant for your open aquarium. Its light green, fleshy, strong, grooved leaves are covered with fine hairs and arranged in rosette form - and still partly overlapping. The leaves are designed so that liquids roll off them, creating a unique aesthetic that makes them incredibly popular among aquarists.

The long roots protect fish, especially juveniles. On top of that, they form a dense carpet and thus provide shade, which not only reduces algae formation but is also very pleasant for some fish. They also draw out unwanted nutrients from the water, which can further reduce algae formation, but one of the most popular uses of Dwarf Water Lettuce is as an indicator for iron deficiency. If there is not enough iron present in the tank, the leaves of this floater will turn yellow, which can be a great indicator to know that it's time to start supplementing.

The Dwarf Water Lettuce takes a bit of care as it sometimes requires trimming to ensure that it doesn't dominate the tank. They also may draw out minerals and other nutrients from the water, which may impact the aquatic life below. 

Caring for Dwarf Water Lettuce

Care Level:  Easy

Light: Medium-High

CO2: Not Necessary 

Fertilizer or Shrimp Safe Fertilizer

Propagation: It can propagated from side shoots

The ideal conditions for the Dwarf Water Lettuce

The water depth should be high enough so that the long roots can glide through the water and not accidentally get stuck on the bottom. We don't recommend having a lid as the accumulated heat can cause dripping water to form which can lead to leaf rot. They need a lot of light, so it's essential to provide good lighting. Water should be still with a temperature of at least 68°F, but not above 86°F. Finally, the water hardness must be between 2 and 12 carbonate hardness.

With each order of Dwarf Water Lettuce, you will receive a container with plants inside.  Portion size may vary. 

Note: Please do additional research on your plant to ensure its health. 

 *All Plants may contain snails or snail eggs. We keep them in all of our tanks for the benefits they provide.*