- Water lettuce, or water cabbage, is a floating non-edible pond plant with fuzzy rosettes of leaves resembling heads of lettuce.
- Each leaf has deep ribs, parallel veins, scalloped edges, and no significant stems.
- Water lettuce produces small, insignificant white or pale green flowers hidden in the foliage, blooming from late summer to late fall. Water lettuce grows best in freshwater conditions and requires 11 to 12 hours of full sunlight (or dappled light in high heat). It is toxic if consumed by humans and pets
Water Lettuce Benefits
Water lettuce is great for cleaning pond water of decomposition byproducts and is often used to keep the water healthy for fish and aquatic life. This plant also reduces algae blooms by blocking sunlight in the water and using the nutrients needed for the algae to bloom.
It can be grown in water gardens providing shelter for small fish like Guppies , but larger fish, such as koi, cichlids, and goldfish, may nibble on and damage the plants.
Although cows won’t eat it, it can be used for pig feed.
Water Lettuce Care
Here are the main care requirements for growing water lettuce:
- Use in water gardens, ponds, or containers both indoors and outdoors.
- Needs full to partial sunlight, depending on the heat and exposure level; too much sun can burn its leaves or cause yellowing.
- Give a neutral to a slightly alkaline or slightly acidic water environment, and ensure it’s not salty or has a noticeable lime content.
- Thrives in water that is 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
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