Pistia stratiodes (Water Lettuce) - BR

Float into the tranquility of Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes), the serene, floating marvel for your water garden! This plant looks like a floating head of lettuce with its rosettes of light green, velvety leaves that are slightly crinkled at the edges, offering a soft, lush texture to your pond's surface. Each leaf can grow to about 6-10” in diameter, creating a natural, floating mat.

In USDA Hardiness Zone 6a, Water Lettuce is not frost-hardy and should be considered an annual, needing to be brought indoors or replanted each year. Its benefits, however, are numerous: it's a powerhouse in natural filtration, absorbing nitrates and phosphates from the water, which helps in maintaining clarity. It also provides shade to reduce algae growth and offers a habitat for small aquatic life. With its calming presence and ecological advantages, Water Lettuce is an essential addition for anyone looking to create a serene, balanced water garden.