Water Lettuce

Pistia stratiotes, Araceae

Zones

8–11

Layer

Aquatic

Lifespan

Perennial

Growth

Fast

Guild Roles

Ground Cover

Growing Conditions

Sun

Partial Sun (acceptable)Full Sun (optimal)

Water

High

Soil pH

6 – 7.5

Tolerances

Drought

Frost

Heat

Pest Resistance

Disease Resist.

Companion Plants

Water CaltropTrapa natans

Nutrient AccumulationShade Provision

Tropical Water LilyNymphaea capensis

Nutrient Accumulation

Spotless WatermealWolffia arrhiza

Nutrient AccumulationWind Protection

Antagonistic Plants

DuckweedLemna minor

Water lettuce forms dense surface coverage that blocks light to duckweed and may release growth-inhibiting compounds

European FrogbitHydrocharis morsus-ranae

Water lettuce competes with European frogbit for surface area and dissolved nutrients

Rice CutgrassLeersia oryzoides

Water lettuce can shade rice cutgrass and compete for nutrients in wetland margins

Hardy Water LilyNymphaea odorata

Water lettuce can form dense surface mats that compete with water lilies for light and dissolved nutrients

Mosquito FernAzolla caroliniana

Water lettuce can shade out mosquito fern and compete for surface nutrients needed for nitrogen fixation

ArrowheadSagittaria sagittifolia

Water lettuce can compete with arrowhead for light and dissolved nutrients in shallow water

Water ChestnutEleocharis dulcis

Water lettuce can shade water chestnut shoots and compete for dissolved nutrients

Arrow ArumPeltandra virginica

Water lettuce can shade arrow arum leaves and compete for dissolved nutrients

Uses

Functions

Water Filtration

Common Questions

What zones does Water Lettuce grow in?

Water Lettuce grows in USDA hardiness zones 8 through 11.

What are good companion plants for Water Lettuce?

Good companions for Water Lettuce include Water Caltrop, Tropical Water Lily, Spotless Watermeal.

Design guilds with Water Lettuce and see companion relationships visually.

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