Nymphoides Aquatica / Banana Plant

Quick facts

Identity

Also known as

Big floating heart; Dwarf water lily

Synonyms

Limnanthemum aquaticum

Environment

Freshwater

Native to

Southeastern United States

Habitat

Slow-moving ponds, ditches, and swamps with soft substrate in the southeastern US

Sourcing

Aquacultured

Conservation

Not Evaluated

Care

Care level

Easy

Growth form

Rosette

Max height

4 – 20 in (10 – 51 cm)

Spread

6 in (15 cm)

Growth rate

Moderate

Placement

Foreground, Midground

Water

Temperature

68 – 80 °F (20 – 27 °C)

pH

6.0 – 7.5

GH

3 – 15 dGH

Flow

Low-Moderate

Light

Medium

CO₂

Beneficial

Planting

Substrate

Nutrient-rich preferred

Feeds from

Both

Fertilizer needs

Medium

Colors

Green

Feeding & breeding

Propagation

Cuttings, Plantlets, Seeds

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Care guide

Overview

A cluster of banana-shaped tubers anchors this rosette plant, from which round, heart-shaped leaves rise on long stems toward the surface. It suits low-tech foreground or midground planting in tanks from 10 gallons, needing only medium light and no CO2. Keep the tuber crown exposed on the substrate to avoid rot, and trim surface pads to maintain a compact underwater form.

Care

The banana plant grows from a cluster of thick, banana-shaped tubers that must sit on top of the substrate or be only lightly pressed in, since burying them fully causes rot. Once established it tolerates a wide range of lighting and does not need CO2 supplementation, making it forgiving for low-tech setups. Left unchecked it will send long stems and lily-pad leaves to the surface, so surface leaves are usually trimmed off to keep a compact underwater rosette.

Planting & trimming

Rest the tuber on the substrate surface or bury only the lower portion, leaving the crown exposed, then allow roots to anchor it naturally. Give the plant space since mature specimens can spread widely, and periodically trim runaway surface leaves to keep the underwater form tidy. It can also be grown floating without substrate contact if a surface canopy is desired.

Fertilizing

Although the tubers store some nutrients, this plant benefits from a nutrient-rich substrate or an occasional root tab placed near, not directly on, the tuber. A weekly dose of liquid fertilizer helps supply iron and trace elements for the submerged leaves. Yellowing leaves or stalled growth are usually signs of a nutrient shortfall rather than disease.

Propagation

New plantlets commonly form on floating leaves or at leaf nodes and can be separated once they develop their own small roots. Mature tubers may also produce offset bulbs that can be detached and replanted separately. Seeds are occasionally produced from surface flowers in open-top tanks but are rarely used for hobby propagation.

Problems

The most common issue is algae building up on the slow-growing leaves, usually from excess light relative to available nutrients or weak flow. Some leaf drop after planting is normal as the plant adjusts to submersed conditions and new growth should follow within a few weeks. Rot at the tuber almost always traces back to burying it too deeply in the substrate.

Sources

1. Nymphoides aquatica - ABC Plants
2. Banana Plant Care Guide | Melbourne Tropical
3. Banana Plant Care Guide – Planting, Growing, and Propagation - Shrimp and Snail Breeder
4. Banana Plant (Nymphoides aquatica) Care Guide & Plant Profile | Guidarium