Greater Duckweed Plant Care
Spirodela polyrhiza (L.) Schleid.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Spirodela polyrhiza is a species of duckweed known by the common names common duckmeat, greater duckweed, great duckmeat, common duckweed, giant duckweed, and duckmeat. It can be found nearly worldwide in many types of freshwater habitat.
Full sun to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Greater Duckweed?
Greater Duckweed grows best in full sun to partial shade.
What Is the Greater Duckweed?
Greater Duckweed (Spirodela polyrhiza) belongs to the Araceae family within the Spirodela genus. Greater Duckweed is also known as Common Duckweed.
Greater Duckweed displays a floating aquatic plant growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Greater Duckweed produces small inconspicuous flowers.
What Light Does the Greater Duckweed Need?
Greater Duckweed thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Greater Duckweed?
Nutrient-rich, loamy soil with good moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Greater Duckweed to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Greater Duckweed?
Does not require potting, grows in water. 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 Greater Duckweed?
Greater Duckweed can be propagated through division, daughter plants. Similar propagation techniques also apply to tiny duckweed plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Greater Duckweed Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Greater Duckweed, 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 Greater Duckweed?
Greater Duckweed 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
Greater Duckweed 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 Spirodela genus — compare its care with other Spirodela species on PlantoScan.
Spirodela is part of the Araceae plant family — browse all Araceae genera and species.
Greater Duckweed 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: Spirodela polyrhiza (L.) Schleid., family Araceae (first published in Linnaea 13: 392 (1839)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Greater Duckweed, 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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