Pistia stratiotes
Water lettuce, Shell flower, Water bonnet, Nile cabbage, Lechuga de agua
- Height × spread
- 0.2m × 1m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A highly attractive aquatic plant that floats on the surface of the water. It bears some resemblance to a pumped up lettuce as it forms fat-leaved rosettes. The leaves are fleshy and coloured a pale yellowed green. It does flower but these are tiny and tucked in at the base of the leaves. This is a plant that enjoys a partly or even fully shaded position. It can be hard to keep this alive in cold areas and needs lifting before frosts begin. It should be over-wintered in a frost free environment. There are a number of cultivars available.
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 0.2m
- Spread
- 1m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Water garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Any
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Water depth
- Floats
- Hazards
- Yes, potentially harmful; Humans: Harmful if eaten; skin & eye irritant
AutumnNow
Autumn · Planting
Lift before winter
Lift bulbs. tubers or rhizomes in autumn, to keep for the following year. Keep dry and in a frost-free location for the winter. Re-plant in spring.
Spring
Spring · Outdoors
Feed with aquatic plant food
As the plant is grown in water, feed with an aquatic feed as directed on the packet. Do not exceed the amounts given as this can affect the water.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water frequently to keep the soil moist
The plant thrives in moist or boggy soil, doesn't tolerate dryness and should be watered frequently, not only after a period of drought, but if the soil begins to dry out spring to autumn. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Planting & general
Compost · Planting
Compost for aquatic plants
Use aquatic plant compost for pond plants (other composts contain nitrates that cause problems in ponds). Pond plants are generally planted in baskets and weighted to keep in position.