Duckweed
Lemna minor
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Pl. 2C44 — Lemna minor
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IOverview
Overview
Duckweed (Lemna minor) is a small, free-floating aquatic plant native to Afghanistan and extending its range across North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Known for its edible leaves, this perennial forb/herb thrives in various habitats with a hardiness rating of 4-8. Duckweed's light requirement is moderate, making it adaptable to diverse environments. It can be found growing in soils with a pH ranging from 4.1 to 8.8, and its edible parts include the leaves. This plant's distinctive feature lies in its rapid growth rate and ability to cover large areas of water surfaces, often forming dense mats.
Quick answers
What is Duckweed?
Duckweed (Lemna minor) is a small, free-floating aquatic plant native to Afghanistan and extending its range across North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Known for its edible leaves, this perennial forb/herb thrives in various habitats with a hardiness rating of 4-8.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Duckweed thrives in a wide range of environments and is native to many regions including Afghanistan, Alabama, Alaska, and Algeria. It prefers moist conditions and can grow in various soil types with a pH between 4.1 and 8.8. Duckweed is hardy in temperate regions, typically thriving in zones 4-8. This perennial plant requires plenty of light but can tolerate partial shade. For propagation, simply divide the plants or use stem cuttings. Harvest its edible leaves by skimming them from the water's surface.
Light
7/10
Water
Water
Hardiness
4-8
Life cycle
Perennial
Habit
Forb/herb
Soil pH
4.1–8.8
Seasonal calendar
Northern hemisphere · UTC month is September
winterspringsummerautumnwinter
BloomJFMAMJJASOND
For first-time growers
How to grow Duckweed for the first time
8steps
Start with a simple setup to grow Duckweed, focusing on basic care and maintenance.
- 1
What you'll need
A container or pond, water, and some Duckweed plants.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring when temperatures are mild and stable.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Use a container with good drainage. Fill it with clean water.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Place the Duckweed plants directly into the water or float them on top.
- 5
First two weeks
Monitor the water quality and ensure there's enough light for growth.
- 6
Ongoing care
Keep the water clean, change 20-30% of it weekly, and provide indirect sunlight.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune by removing excess plants to prevent overcrowding and maintain a healthy balance.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overcrowding the container, using contaminated water, and not providing enough light.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Leaves
Edible uses: Duckweed leaves are edible and can be eaten raw or cooked. They are often added to salads for a mild taste or used in soups and stews where their texture blends well with other ingredients. Skip the detailed preparation instructions as they were not provided in the data.
Other uses:Dynamic accumulator
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
30 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
30 native · 0 introducedDistribution across4 continents· 30 native
Europe5 regions
native (5)AlbaniaNorwayPolandRomaniaRussia
Asia2 regions
native (2)PakistanPhilippines
Americas2 regions
native (2)NicaraguaUnited States
Africa1 region
native (1)Algeria
Broader regions
native:North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Provinces, Nova Scotia, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Primorye, Prince Edward I., Québec, Rhode I., Sakhalin, Alabama, Altay, Amur, Newfoundland
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXI
Explore further
Companion planting
Growing zone
XII
About this entry
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Back to the cataloguePlant id · 2c441558-052c-4f44-b46a-78eabc83d379
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