How to Grow Duck Weed

Duckweed grows on the surface of still waters, like ponds.

Duckweed, a common aquatic plant, can be beneficial to grow and adapts to many different conditions. This plant, often found growing wild in still waters, has two or three small oval leaves, usually a single root, and floats on top of water. While duckweed is delicate to handle, it is easy to cultivate in a backyard pond, or even in a windowsill container. When grown in the surface of a pond, it can look like a cool green carpet. Duckweed is a cheap source of food for pond fish and children can also enjoy growing duckweed indoors.

Things You'll Need

• Duckweed
• Water
• Container with tall sides

Instructions

Growing Duckweed Outdoors

1. Decide which type of duckweed to grow. Common duck weed is the most often type sold and grown. But, giant duck weed has larger leaves and with a reddish tint underneath and this may seem more attractive to some.

2. Purchase the duckweed. Buy it from garden or aquatic supply centers.

3. Add the duckweed to a pond. Simply place a cluster in the water and allow it to float.

4. Control duckweed by fishing it out with a net or skimmer. Too much duckweed on the surface of the pond will block sunlight and oxygen from underwater plants and fish.

5. Grow more duckweed outdoors by adding it to a deep container (like a big bucket) that has been half filled with water. The high walls of the container will keep the water from evaporating too quickly. Add water when it begins to evaporate.

Growing Duckweed Indoors

1. Select a container. It should not have a lid. It should also have deep sides to help prevent water evaporation.

2. Add water to the container. You can use pond water to start, but eventually replace it with fresh water to prevent bacteria from becoming a problem.

3. Purchase the duckweed from an aquatic supply store.

4. Change the water to fresh water If the duckweed was collected from a pond. Bacteria or other problems may be present in the pond water.

5. Place the container of duckweed in direct sunlight.

6. Change the water often. Make sure the water does not evaporate and leave the duckweed to dry out.

Tips & Warnings

• Place the excess duckweed on the compost pile. It is high in nitrogen and potassium.

References

• Missouri Botanical Garden: Tips for Growing Duckweed
• Associated Koi Clubs of America: Beneficial Water Plants