Common Duckweed
Lemna minor
Also listed as Hydrophace minor, Lemna minima
Also known as Duckweed, Lesser Duckweed, Water Lentil
Climate Match for your location
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A tiny aquatic plant consisting of small, round fronds that float on or just below water surfaces. Lemna minor grows rapidly and is commonly used in aquariums and water gardens but can become invasive in ponds.
Why grow it
Lemna minor grows faster than most competing duckweeds and less vigorously than some, making it useful for water filtration and nutrient uptake in managed systems. It requires no soil and minimal nutrients, thriving in conditions where larger aquatic plants struggle. Its rapid growth makes it suitable for experimental biofilters and aquaponics, though gardeners seeking slower-growing alternatives should consider Azolla or Salvinia species for more controlled establishment.
Watch out for
Even in contained water gardens, monitor populations regularly since growth rates can accelerate under high nutrient conditions, making manual harvesting necessary to maintain desired coverage. When introducing new plants to an established system, remove any duckweed hitchhikers on their surfaces to avoid competing populations. Disposal of harvested material should avoid natural waterways, as escaped plants can persist in new environments.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Araceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eurasia, North Africa
Native to: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming
Seasonality
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Ground cover
Low spreading plants that carpet the soil.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
pH Range
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
A tiny aquatic plant consisting of small, round fronds that float on or just below water surfaces. Lemna minor grows rapidly and is commonly used in aquariums and water gardens but can become invasive in ponds.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Common Duckweed grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Lemna minor grows faster than most competing duckweeds and less vigorously than some, making it useful for water filtration and nutrient uptake in managed systems. It requires no soil and minimal nutrients, thriving in conditions where larger aquatic plants struggle. Its rapid growth makes it suitable for experimental biofilters and aquaponics, though gardeners seeking slower-growing alternatives should consider Azolla or Salvinia species for more controlled establishment.
Watch out for
Even in contained water gardens, monitor populations regularly since growth rates can accelerate under high nutrient conditions, making manual harvesting necessary to maintain desired coverage. When introducing new plants to an established system, remove any duckweed hitchhikers on their surfaces to avoid competing populations. Disposal of harvested material should avoid natural waterways, as escaped plants can persist in new environments.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Araceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eurasia, North Africa
Native to: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming
Seasonality
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Ground cover
Low spreading plants that carpet the soil.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
pH Range
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
Similar ground covers you might consider:
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