Water-Plantain Plant Care
Ottelia alismoides (L.) Pers.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Ottelia alismoides, commonly known as duck lettuce, is a species of aquatic plant native to Asia and northern Australia. Due to habitat loss and deterioration, it is endangered in China and Japan, although it is an invasive weed in America.
Full sun to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Water-Plantain?
Water-Plantain grows best in full sun to partial shade.
Where Is the Water-Plantain Native To?
What Is the Water-Plantain?
Water-Plantain (Ottelia alismoides) belongs to the Hydrocharitaceae family within the Ottelia genus. Water-Plantain is native to Asia and northern Australia. Water-Plantain is also known as Duck Lettuce, Indian Water-Plantain.
Water-Plantain displays a submerged aquatic plant growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Water-Plantain produces small inconspicuous flowers on the water's surface.
What Light Does the Water-Plantain Need?
Water-Plantain thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Water-Plantain?
Loamy soil with high organic content, well-draining. Good drainage is essential for Water-Plantain to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Water-Plantain?
Repot every 1-2 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Water-Plantain?
Water-Plantain can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to spiny ottelia plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Water-Plantain Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Water-Plantain, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Water-Plantain?
Water-Plantain is susceptible to algae, aquatic weeds. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
Keep exploring plants
Water-Plantain is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Ottelia genus — compare its care with other Ottelia species on PlantoScan.
Ottelia is part of the Hydrocharitaceae plant family — browse all Hydrocharitaceae genera and species.
Water-Plantain thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Ottelia alismoides (L.) Pers., family Hydrocharitaceae (first published in Syn. Pl. 1: 400 (1805)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Water-Plantain, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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