Common Duckweed
(Lemna minor)
If there is a floating plant easy to maintain in the aquarium, it is this one! It is very robust and adapts very well to its environment (even at altitude!). Moreover, it is found naturally throughout the world. Be careful, this plant is very prolific and can be invasive.
Scientific name
Lemna minor
Common name
Common Duckweed
Lesser duckweed
Origin
Origin: Everywhere (5 continents)
Ideal fertilization
CO2: 5-40mg/l
Nitrates (NO3) : 10-50mg/l
Phosphates (PO4): 0.1-3mg/l
Potassium (K);: 5-30mg/l
Iron (Fe): 0.01-0.5mg/l
Group
Araceae
Kind
Floating Plant
Water parameters
T°: 10 to 28°C or 50 to 82°F
pH: 5 to 8
Hardness: 2 to 25°dGH
Difficulty
Easy
Minimal lighting
Average
Size
2 to 5 mm (0.08 to 0.2")
Plantation area
Everywhere
Growth
Fast
Presentation
Who is the Lemna minor?
Presentation
Who is the Lemna minor?
The leaves of the duckweed are also called fronds. They are very small and oval. This floating plant has a nice light green colour above its leaves. Below, the green is darker.
Very present all over the world, you have certainly already met it on the edge of rivers, lakes or ponds.
This plant is perfect for outdoor pools such as aquariums, aquaterrarium, paludarium or aquascaping (it is very small).
Its living area is exclusively on the surface of the water. As a result, its development can sometimes prevent light from entering the pond or aquarium, which would be detrimental to other submerged plant species. On the other hand, if its extension is well controlled, this feature can also provide shade for fearful fish or pools exposed to the sun.
Planting and maintenance
How to plant and maintain the Lemna minor?
Planting and maintenance
How to plant and maintain the Lemna minor?
The Water Lens does not require any special maintenance; it develops and breeds without specific intervention.
Note that the growth of this plant is slowed by the current. If you wish to have a beautiful vegetation cover, prefer to install it in places with calm water and with a lot of light.
For the requirement in brightness, plan between 1 watt for 5 liters (1 imp gal 1.3 US gal), to 1 watt for 1 liter, or 0.3 gallons.
Farming
How to farm the Lemna minor?
Farming
How to farm the Lemna minor?
Farming is done naturally by duplication of the leaf. Indeed, it produces buds that finally separate to give birth to new plants. This is the mode of farming often observed in the aquarium.
In the basin, when the temperature drops (bellow 8°C or 46°F) at the approach of the winter, the water lens produces starch granules stored in an organ called "turion". When the plant dies in the winter, the turion flows to the bottom of the pond. When the good weather returns, the plant resurfaces and so on each season.
Good to Know
Good to Know
Find all additional information!
Flowering occurs only in the wild, but it is very rare.
The water lens has downwardly oriented roots, which provides some stability to the plant.
Tip: Duckweeds are consumed by some fish (goldfish, koi carps, and grass carp) but also some birds such as Mallard ducks!
Do not take duckweed from the wild as it serves as a refuge for the hydra and planaria, which can be harmful to your aquarium (depending on your population).
