Edibles > Vegetables

water lettuce

Pistia stratiotes

Genus: Pistia
Family: Araceae
Common Names: shell flower, tropical duckweed

About this plant

A tender, floating, evergreen aquatic perennial with semi-upright blue-yellow-green leaves. Inconspicuous tubular-shaped creamy-yellow flowers appear in the summer. May be invasive

Growing Information

Height

0.1-0.5 Metres

Spread

0.1-0.5 Metres

Hardiness

H1B

Foliage

Evergreen

Growing Conditions

Sunlight

Full Sun

Aspect

West FacingEast Facing

Exposure

Exposed

Not Currently Available

This plant is not currently stocked at any garden centres on our platform.

Care Guide

Cultivation

Grow as a floating aquatic in full sun with midday shade. Over winter under glass through the winter. This plant is invasive.

Pruning

No pruning required

Propagation

Propagate by separating plantlets in summer

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Garden Uses

Season of Interest

SummerAutumn

Size & Characteristics

Height

0.1-0.5 Metres

Spread

0.1-0.5 Metres

Habit

Clump Forming

Time to Full Height

Five To Ten Years