How to prune pistia stratiotes

Throughout the growing season (spring to autumn). Lift and remove surplus daughter rosettes by hand or with a net. Pull off brown outer leaves. Dispose of removed plants responsibly — Pistia is invasive in warm climates and must not be released into natural waterways.

Regularly during the growing season, as the plant spreads quickly. Pistia stratiotes (water lettuce) is a floating aquatic plant that requires no pruning in the traditional sense. Thin or remove excess rosettes regularly to prevent the colony from covering an entire water surface and blocking light below. Remove any brown or decaying outer leaves to keep the plant healthy.

Lift and remove surplus daughter rosettes by hand or with a net. Pull off brown outer leaves. Dispose of removed plants responsibly — Pistia is invasive in warm climates and must not be released into natural waterways.