Floating frogbit: a hardy aquatic plant for ponds and tub ponds
What is floating frogbit?
Floating frogbit (Limnobium laevigatum) is a plant native to the Americas and an original addition to floating plant collections. Its round leaves, ranging from light green to reddish brown, float on the surface, while long roots hang down into the water.
In summer, it thrives outdoors and is ideal for tub ponds or ponds. It reproduces naturally via stolons, forming new rosettes throughout the season.
A perfect floating plant for ponds and natural aquariums that enjoys summer outdoors, even though it does not survive winter except in the south.
Why choose floating frogbit?
- As a floating plant, it requires no substrate and feeds from the water, which it effectively purifies
- Its long roots reach deep into the water, creating a small aquatic jungle
- It covers the surface moderately and controllably. Light is filtered rather than blocked
- It provides shelter for aquatic wildlife among its long roots and for terrestrial wildlife on its leaves
- A very easy plant to grow as long as it is protected from outdoor winter conditions
How do you grow floating frogbit?
Simply place the plant on the water's surface, where it will extend its roots vertically downward.
- 🏞️ Suitable for ponds, garden tub ponds, tub aquariums, and aquariums of more than 60 liters
- 🌡️ Prefers warm, gently moving water
- 💧 Ideal for low-tech aquarium keeping without a filter
- 🐌 Compatible with ostracods, daphnia, water lice, and snails
- 🐸 Can establish itself permanently without any special maintenance
FAQ - floating frogbit
Does it survive the winter?
Yes, it is hardy in the south and survives cold weather in mild climates. Otherwise, simply bring a few plants indoors for the winter so they can be replanted in spring!
How can it float with such large roots?
Floating frogbit has a unique leaf structure: the underside is spongy and made up of numerous air-filled cavities. It is impossible to sink!
Is it invasive?
No, its growth is moderate and very easy to control.
Can it be kept with fish?
Of course. It coexists well with fish, which can take shelter beneath its leaves out of sight.
Is it better than water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes)?
Pistia is now strictly prohibited for sale and possession. Floating frogbit is an excellent alternative, offering the same benefits as Pistia.
Can it be kept in an aquarium?
Yes, provided the water is at least 40 cm deep, as the roots grow long and form a "vine jungle." In a large aquarium, it would really be a shame to go without it.
Additional information
Scientific name: Limnobium laevigatum
Plant type: purifying and light-filtering floating plant
Packaging: one rooted plant (indicative weight: 12 g)
Guarantee: plants grown without any artificial inputs. No fertilizer, algaecide, or antibiotic.
Recommendation: as a precaution, please never release this plant into the wild. It is not native to our regions and should not normally become naturalized, but we must protect our ecosystems.
