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Red Root Floaters (Phyllanthus fluitans) | Aquatic Plants – Superior Shrimp & Aquatics

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Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes)

Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes)

$6.00
$6.00
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Amount: 6 - 8 Leaves

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$6.00
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Description
Reviews
Description
Water Lettuce – Superior Shrimp & Aquatics
Aquatic Plants

Water Lettuce

A fast-growing floating plant with cascading roots — natural nitrate control, fry shelter, and surface cover all in one.

Floating Surface Plant Fast-Growing Nitrate & Ammonia Absorber Fry & Shrimplet Shelter No CO₂ Required Shrimp Safe

Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) is a free-floating surface plant that does more functional work per square inch than almost any submerged plant in the hobby. Its broad, velvety rosette of pale green leaves floats at the surface while a dense mass of feathery roots hangs beneath, absorbing nitrates, ammonia, and excess nutrients directly from the water column at a rate that visibly improves water quality in heavily stocked or breeding tanks. The trailing root mass provides dense, three-dimensional shelter that shrimplets, fry, and juvenile shrimp actively seek out and colonize — a natural refuge that no amount of submerged planting fully replicates. It grows fast, propagates freely via daughter plants, and requires nothing more than light and water to thrive.

Not Required CO₂
68–86°F Temperature
Moderate–High Lighting
What to Expect

Growth & Behavior Over Time

Broad pale green rosette with a velvety, ribbed texture — the leaves are soft, slightly cupped, and covered in fine water-repellent hairs that give them a velvety appearance and cause water to bead and roll off the surface. The pale green coloration deepens with stronger light and adequate nutrients. Dense feathery root mass beneath the surface — the trailing root system is one of Water Lettuce's most valuable features. The roots grow long and densely branched, creating a hanging curtain of fine filaments that shrimp and fry navigate through constantly. Biofilm colonizes the root surfaces quickly, adding a direct foraging resource on top of the shelter value. Exceptional nutrient uptake from the water column — Water Lettuce absorbs nitrates, ammonia, and phosphates aggressively through its root system, making it one of the most effective biological filtration aids available for shrimp and breeding tanks. Its impact on water quality is most pronounced in smaller or more densely stocked tanks where nutrient accumulation is a consistent challenge. Fast growth and prolific propagation — healthy Water Lettuce produces daughter rosettes on short stolons rapidly, filling available surface space within weeks. Growth rate is directly tied to light intensity and nutrient availability — brighter light and higher nutrient loads produce noticeably faster expansion. Provides diffused lighting below the surface — the floating canopy filters and softens light reaching the submerged plants and inhabitants beneath, creating lower-light zones preferred by many Caridina and Neocaridina shrimp and reducing algae growth on submerged surfaces. Sensitive to surface agitation — Water Lettuce performs best in calm surface conditions. Strong surface flow, spray bars directed at the surface, or aggressive surface agitation damages the leaves and roots over time, preventing the plant from establishing a healthy floating canopy. Reduce surface turbulence in any tank where this plant is being kept.
How to Set It Up

Getting Started

1 Float directly on the surface in good light — place Water Lettuce on the water surface in a position that receives moderate to strong light. No planting, anchoring, or substrate is required. The plant will begin establishing its root system and producing new leaves within days of introduction to a suitable environment.
2 Reduce surface agitation — reposition spray bars, filter outlets, or powerheads to minimize turbulence at the water surface. Even moderate agitation prevents Water Lettuce from establishing properly. A calm surface is the single most important condition for long-term success with this plant.
3 Trim regularly to manage coverage — Water Lettuce spreads quickly and can cover the entire surface of a tank if left unchecked, blocking light to submerged plants and reducing gas exchange. Remove daughter plants as needed to maintain the coverage level that works for your specific tank and planting.
4 Dose liquid fertilizer for fastest growth — while Water Lettuce will grow without supplemental fertilization by drawing nutrients from the water column, a balanced liquid fertilizer routine produces noticeably larger, healthier rosettes and more vigorous root development — which in turn improves its water conditioning and shelter value.
💡 Bonus Tip

Water Lettuce is one of the best plants to add during a shrimp breeding cycle — the hanging root mass gives newborn shrimplets immediate access to a biofilm-rich, predator-free refuge the moment they're released, significantly improving early survival rates in tanks where adults or other tank inhabitants might otherwise pose a risk to very small juveniles.

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Browse our shrimp collection

Water Lettuce is a natural pairing for any shrimp tank. Browse our Freshwater Shrimp collection to complete your setup.

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Reviews

Customer Reviews

Based on 4 reviews
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M
Mike
Great plant

The plant came in healthy with great roots.

C
Chukuemeka

Too small comes in a small container I need to put more

B
B.N.

Most of the leaves were dead

T
Trien

Seller send tiny water lettuce with mostly leaves. All the lettuce's leaves turn transpatent and dies two days later. Would not buy again.

    Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes)
    $6.00
    $6.00
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