Also known as Common Lemna · Common Water Lentil · Duckmeat
Lemna minor, or Common Duckweed, is a tiny, free-floating aquatic plant forming dense green mats on still or slow-moving freshwater. It reproduces rapidly, covering water
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
Prefers full sun to partial shade for optimal growth.
70% intensity
Requires stable freshwater; maintain quality and replenish evaporated water.
80% intensity
Not applicable (free-floating aquatic plant)
50% intensity
Thrives in warm water, ideally between 15-30 °C.
70% intensity
Outdoor, Aquatic
50% intensity
Benefits from nutrient-rich water; use aquatic fertilizer sparingly if needed.
50% intensity
Safety information from plant toxicity data
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Toxic for humans | No 0/5 intensity |
| Toxic for pets | No 0/5 intensity |
| Edible | Yes |
Not toxic to humans or pets; considered edible and nutritious.
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
As an aquatic plant, Lemna minor requires a stable freshwater environment. It thrives in still or slow-moving water bodies like ponds, aquariums, or water gardens.
Ensure the water quality is maintained, avoiding extreme pH fluctuations or heavy pollution. Regular replenishment of evaporated water is necessary to keep the fronds submerged and healthy.
Pruning for duckweed mainly involves removal to control its rapid spread. If allowed to cover the entire water surface, it can block sunlight for other aquatic life and deplete oxygen.
Regularly skim off excess fronds with a net to maintain desired coverage and prevent it from becoming a nuisance in the aquatic environment.
Lemna minor propagates primarily through vegetative budding, where new fronds bud off from existing ones. It also produces turions for overwintering.
Propagation is extremely easy; simply introduce a few fronds to a suitable water body, and they will multiply rapidly under favorable conditions, quickly colonizing the surface.
Repotting is not applicable for this free-floating aquatic plant. It does not have roots that anchor it to a substrate or require a pot.
Its "repotting" equivalent is managing its population density within its aquatic habitat, which is done through removal of excess fronds rather than transplanting.
Identify plants like this with ePlant AI
Snap a photo to get care tips and match similar species on the go.
Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Photos of Common Duckweed (Lemna minor)
Where Common Duckweed (Lemna minor) is found
Density
Tap map to explore
Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Liliopsida |
| Order | Alismatales |
| Family | Araceae |
| Genus | Lemna |
| Species | Lemna minor |
Similar in genus Lemna
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data
