Plant Profiles

Common Duckweed

Live freshwater plant Lemna minor - Common Duckweed for fish tanks and aquariums Large bunch or portion of aquatic plant Lemna minor - Common Duckweed. Aquarium plant with fast delivery across Australia.
Lemna minor
Common Duckweed
$4.95

Lemna minor, the Common Duckweed, is one of the most widely distributed and recognisable aquatic plants in the world. This unassuming yet highly adaptable plant makes an easy addition to both aquariums and garden ponds.

Characterised by its small clusters of oval-shaped leaves, Lemna minor grows quickly over the water surface. The leaves vary in size from 1 to 8 millimeters. This low maintenance plant requires minimal care and can thrive in a variety of water conditions, making it an easy and attractive choice for water features.

One of the primary benefits of Common Duckweed is its superb ability to remove excess nutrients from the water, like nitrogen and phosphorus. This not only assists in water purification but also hinders the growth of algae. For a native alternative to this classic but exotic Duckweed species, Lemna aequinoctialis and Landoltia punctata would both suit.

Common Duckweed provides shelter and a food source for a variety of aquatic organisms. It can provide shade across the water in sunny ponds and shelter fish and invertebrates from potential predators. This can minimise the risk of algae overgrowth. It can also serve as a food source for herbivorous and omnivorous fish like goldfish.

While Lemna minor's rapid growth can sometimes be perceived as a challenge due to its ability to cover water surfaces, its beneficial aspects far outweigh the inconveniences. Regular thinning of duckweed colonies can help manage its spread and maintain a balanced aquatic ecosystem.

Requirements and information

Temperature:
TropicalWarmCold

Substrate type:
None

Substrate nutrients:
None

Water nutrients:

Medium

Light demand:

Medium

CO2:

Low

Height:

Low

Growth rate:

Vigorous

Growth habit:

Floating

Difficulty:

Easy

Native to: