Water Lettuce
Pistia stratiotes

Family: Araceae (a-RAY-see-ee)
Genus: Pistia (PEES-tee-uh)
Species: stratiotes (stra-tee-OH-tees)

Synonym:Pistia minor

Synonym:Pistia crispata

Category
Ponds and Aquatics

Height
under 6 in. (15 cm)

Spacing
9-12 in. (22-30 cm)

Hardiness
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)

Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade

Danger
N/A

Bloom Color
Inconspicuous/none

Bloom Time
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall

Foliage
Grown for foliage
Chartreuse/Yellow

Other details
Very high moisture needs; suitable for bogs and water gardens
May be a noxious weed or invasive

Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)

Patent Information
Non-patented

Propagation Methods
Plant is viviparous

Seed Collecting