Asian watermeal (Wolffia globosa) is the smallest known flowering plant, a tiny aquatic herb floating on the water surface.
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
Bright
75% intensity
Prefers bright, indirect sunlight or good artificial lighting. Avoid prolonged direct sun which can overheat water.
Constant
100% intensity
Requires still, freshwater environments. Keep plants floating.
None
50% intensity
Moderate
50% intensity
Thrives in temperatures between 18-25°C. Avoid extreme temperature fluctuations.
Moderate
50% intensity
Absorbs nutrients from water. Regular, balanced liquid fertilizers support growth. Monitor for algae.
Safety information from plant toxicity data
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Toxic for humans | No 0/5 intensity |
| Toxic for pets | No 0/5 intensity |
| Edible | Yes |
None
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
Asian watermeal thrives in stagnant, nutrient-rich freshwater. Maintain a consistent water level, ensuring the plants remain afloat. Avoid any strong water currents, as this can dislodge them.
The water should be free from pollutants and heavy metals for optimal health and growth.
Pruning is not applicable to Wolffia globosa in the traditional sense. The plant reproduces rapidly through budding.
If overcrowding occurs, simply remove excess plants manually to maintain a desired density and prevent them from completely covering the water surface, which can block light for submerged plants.
Propagation occurs naturally and rapidly through budding. New plants develop from a single parent cell, detaching to form new individuals.
This process can be manually assisted by simply dividing clusters of plants and placing them in suitable water conditions, leading to exponential population growth.
Wolffia globosa does not require repotting as it is a free-floating aquatic plant. It lives its entire life cycle on the surface of the water.
Its population can be managed by periodically removing excess plants from the water body to prevent overgrowth and maintain an aesthetic balance.
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Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Photos of Asian Watermeal (Wolffia globosa)
Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Liliopsida |
| Order | Alismatales |
| Family | Araceae |
| Genus | Wolffia |
| Species | Wolffia globosa |
Similar in genus Wolffia
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data
