Aquarium plant

Salvinia Natans

Salvinia Natans (Salvinia natans) aquarium plant care.

Salvinia Natans TL;DR

Light: medium · CO2: no · Difficulty: beginner.

Salvinia Natans (Salvinia natans) is a popular aquarium plant.

What lighting does Salvinia Natans need?

Target medium lighting. PAR: 30-60.

Is CO2 required for Salvinia Natans?

No CO2 required.

What substrate and nutrients does Salvinia Natans need?

Tolerates inert substrate with occasional root tabs.

How is Salvinia Natans propagated?

Splits via runners.

Where to buy

Browse Salvinia Natans from vetted Fast Aquatics plant vendors.

Salvinia Natans FAQ

How much light does Salvinia Natans need?

Salvinia Natans is rated as a medium-light plant, with a target of about PAR 30-60 at the leaves. Medium light is roughly what a mid-range planted-tank LED delivers over a standard-depth tank; going brighter without more CO2 and fertilizer usually shows up as algae rather than faster growth. CO2 is not needed for it, and its care difficulty is listed as beginner.

Does Salvinia Natans need CO2?

No. Salvinia Natans does not need injected CO2, so it suits low-tech tanks without a CO2 system. It is a medium-light plant, with a target of about PAR 30-60 at the leaves. Keep light, CO2 and fertilizer in balance, because raising one without the others is the most common cause of algae in planted tanks.

How do you propagate Salvinia Natans?

Splits via runners. Let each new plantlet grow its own roots and a few leaves before cutting the runner, then replant it at the same depth as the parent. New growth comes in fastest when the tank matches its needs: medium light, with CO2 not needed.

Is Salvinia Natans beginner-friendly?

Yes. Salvinia Natans is listed at beginner difficulty. It needs medium light, with a target of about PAR 30-60 at the leaves, CO2 is not needed. Stable light, nutrients and water changes matter more than any single product. Check these needs against your current setup before buying.

Sources and references

Salvinia Natans taxonomy and care recommendations cross-checked against the following authoritative references and our internal vendor + breeder database.

Have a photo of Salvinia Natans?
Approved photos go live in 24 hours, with credit (or anonymous - your call).

More resources for Salvinia Natans keepers

Common diseases
Helpful calculators
Key terms

Browse the full disease database, calculator collection, aquarium glossary, or Q&A library for additional reference.