Description
Amazon Frogbit (Limnobium laevigatum) is a widely popular floating aquatic plant originating from Central and South America. It forms attractive rosettes of round, bright green leaves that float on the surface, featuring a unique spongy underside for buoyancy and fine roots that dangle into the water. Favored for its ease of care and rapid growth, it’s an excellent choice for aquariums and ponds, providing shade and natural cover for tank inhabitants.
Care
Amazon Frogbit is remarkably easy to care for. Provide moderate to high lighting for best growth, though it can tolerate lower light. Maintain water temperatures between 20-28°C (68-82°F) and keep pH between 6.0-7.5 with general hardness (GH) from 0-12° and carbonate hardness (KH) from 2-15. It prefers calm, still water and dislikes strong surface agitation. As a floating plant, it absorbs nutrients directly from the water column; liquid fertilizers can be beneficial, especially in low-bioload tanks. Avoid getting the tops of the leaves wet to prevent rot.
Propagation
Propagating Amazon Frogbit is effortless as it naturally reproduces through runners (stolons). These runners extend from the main plant and grow daughter plants, which will eventually detach and become independent. This process occurs readily in favorable conditions, allowing you to easily multiply your frogbit population.
Trimming
Regular trimming is necessary to manage Amazon Frogbit’s fast growth. Simply remove excess plantlets or entire rosettes as needed to prevent the plant from completely covering the water surface. This ensures light penetrates to plants below and maintains adequate gas exchange.
Notes, Tips, and Considerations
- Can be considered invasive in some regions outside its native range, so care should be taken to prevent its escape into natural waterways.
- Juvenile plants may resemble duckweed.
- The roots provide excellent cover and habitat for small fish and invertebrates.
- Can produce small white flowers, though this is uncommon in aquariums.
- Some fish and snails may occasionally eat the leaves or roots.
Origin
- Regions
- Central America
- South America
- Habitat: lake, pond, river
- Water Type: freshwater
- Water Depth: 0.1 – 10 m
- Water Flow: still, slow
- Light: medium, high
- Temperature: 18 – 29 °C
- Humidity: high
- Substrate: mud, soil, sand
Closing
