Pistia stratiotes (Water Bonnets)

Pistia stratiotes light green leaves floating on water surface in close up view.
Pistia stratiotes floating leaves with soft texture on the water surface.

Botanical name: Pistia stratiotes

Common names: Water Bonnets, Water Lettuce, St. Lucy's Plant

Family: Araceae

USDA Plant Hardiness Map

USDA Zone: 9-10

Groundcover and low-growing 2ft plantPlant form: Groundcover or low-growing
Full sunSemi-shadeSun exposure: Full sun or bright light indoor; semi-shade
Cold toleranceCold tolerance: Frost sensitive. Protect from freezing.
Keep soil wet: Bog or aquatic plantWatering: Bog or aquatic
White, off-white flowersFlower color: White and off-white
Suitable forSuitable for: Outdoors in the suitable USDA zone; small gardens, containers, and indoor growing
Ornamental foliageFoliage color: Ornamental foliage
Flood tolerant plantFlood tolerance: High
Invasive plantInvasive: Can spread quickly, needs control

Water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) is a floating plant, it occurs in lakes, rivers and canals, occasionally forming large dense mats. It produces small white to off-white flowers in the summertime. This plant is now used as an ornamental aquatic plant, but it can be highly invasive, as it grows very quickly and easily outcompetes other plants.


Image gallery: 11 images
Pistia stratiotes (Water Bonnets) green plant leaves close up showing soft ribbed foliage texture
Pistia stratiotes (Water Bonnets) leaves form a thick cluster with soft ribbed lime green texture
Pistia stratiotes green plant with soft ruffled leaves arranged in a circular rosette
Pistia stratiotes with soft green leaves forming a dense rounded floating rosette
Pistia stratiotes light green leaves float on water within a lush tropical collection.
Pistia stratiotes floating leaves clustered together among dark foliage and water plants.
Pistia stratiotes (Water Bonnets) with bright light green leaves and a brown frog plant
Pistia stratiotes (Water Bonnets) floating on water with a brown frog resting upon leaves
Pistia stratiotes light green leaves with small white flower close up shot
Pistia stratiotes showing ruffled green leaves and a small white center flower
Pistia stratiotes light green flower close up revealing intricate fuzzy white petal edges.
Pistia stratiotes tiny pale flower nestled within soft textured green foliage leaves.
Pistia stratiotes (Water Bonnets) floating plant with lime green velvety leaves on water surface
Pistia stratiotes (Water Bonnets) with rosettes of soft textured leaves resting on the water surface.
Pistia stratiotes (Water Bonnets) green plant, close up view of the floating aquatic leaves
Pistia stratiotes (Water Bonnets) floating green leaves grouped together in a clear water container
Pistia stratiotes light green leaves with tiny white flower center close up
Pistia stratiotes showing thick ribbed light green leaves with small white flower
Pistia stratiotes (Water Bonnets) green plant, thick leaves arranged in dense rosettes, close up
Pistia stratiotes (Water Bonnets) aquatic plant with many overlapping green leaves forming dense circular clusters
Pistia stratiotes (Water Bonnets) green plant leaves forming dense clusters on water surface.
Pistia stratiotes (Water Bonnets) leaves form rosettes with thick texture and soft lime green color.


Link to this plant:
https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/pistia_stratiotes.htm
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