Pistia Stratiotes Jumbo Large Water Lettuce
Highly popular aquarium plant.
You are buying 2 water lettuce (4 / 6 cm plants). The picture is an example.
Water lettuce is a free-floating plant with many spongy, dusty green simple leaves. The leaves are covered in very fine hairs and arranged in a spiral pattern from the centre of the plant. The leaves are 1 to 2 inches wide and have large veins running their length. The flowers are seldom seen. Water lettuce is a very aggressive invader and can form thick floating mats. Water lettuce should be controlled so they do not cover the entire pond.
Attractive, easy to raise, and economical. If you're looking for a surface plant that also reduces the excess light that encourages algae growth, you'll appreciate dwarf water lettuce even more.
This is beautiful floating plant can be used indoor or outdoor aquariums and vivariums. Shrimp may often hang below the leaves on the roots. Plant also provides shelter for fish.
Removes Nitrogenous Wastes. Roots like these suck nitrogen and other digested fish wastes out of the water. They help purify the water.
Propagation by runners. Do not let plant completely cover the surface else other submersed plants will get shaded.
Submerged portions of all aquatic plants provide habitats for many micro and macro invertebrates. These invertebrates in turn are used as food by fish and other wildlife species.
Water lettuce grows rapidly and requires the removal of excess plants to prevent overcrowding and nutrient limitation. There are two different strategies to accomplish this. Removing the small daughter plants will promote additional growth and is ideal for propagating plants. On the other hand, removing the larger plants will slow down growth and decrease the required maintenance.
It is recommended to bring water lettuce inside over winter. To do this, place several plants in wet, sandy loam before the first frost and store in an area with bright light and a temperature of at least 10 o C or 50 o F. Some gardeners have also had success overwintering by placing plants in a clear goldfish bowl filled with rainwater and storing in full sunlight at 50 o F (10 o C) or higher.
If a pond is particularly small, water lettuce may consume certain nutrients and start to turn yellow. There are several ways to remedy this including floating the failing plants in dissolved Miracle Grow for several hours, applying the solution of the depleted nutrient to the pond, and treating the pond with a commercial nutrient booster.
You will receive 2 plants packed in sealed, plastic bag, inside cardboard envelope, posted Royal Mail.