About
Pistia stratiotes, water lettuce, is a tender, floating, evergreen aquatic perennial with semi-upright, blue-green, velvety, wavy-edged leaves to 15 cm forming floating rosettes. Inconspicuous, tubular, creamy-yellow flowers appear in summer. An ornamental aquatic for a frost-free, heated pond or conservatory pool. Note: invasive in warm climates; sale banned in Northern Ireland from August 2024.
About the genus
Pistia are floating aquatic perennials forming rosettes of pale, velvety, blue-green leaves. Present in most tropical and subtropical fresh waterways through natural spread and human introduction. Considered invasive in some regions.
Plant details
Suggested usesBorders, hedging, specimen planting.
Care notes
CultivationPlant in well-drained soil in sun or part shade.
PruningPrune after flowering or late winter.
PropagationPropagate by division, cuttings, or seed.
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free.
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-resistant.