Salvinia Minima
Salvinia minima
Edited by Ivan F. · Reviewed
Beginner verdict
A tiny floating fern with fuzzy leaves that spreads quickly across the surface and shades the tank. It takes up nutrients from the water and suits shy, surface-loving fish. It is easy to grow, but it is invasive in many regions, so never let it reach local waterways.
- Light
- Low
- CO2
- Not Needed
- Growth
- Fast
- Placement
- Floating
- Max height
- 2 in (5 cm)
- Temperature
- 75–82 °F (24–28 °C)
- pH
- 5–8
- Needs substrate
- No
Salvinia Minima care
How it spreads
It multiplies by itself at the surface. Just remove the extras.
Salvinia Minima care mistakes to avoid
- Never dump it into local waterways. It is an invasive species in many regions.
- Thin it often, because it can cover the whole surface in weeks.
- Keep surface flow gentle, since strong currents push it under.
- Check local rules, because it is restricted in some areas.
Salvinia Minima setup
LightLow light
Our sources rate Salvinia Minima as a low light plant. These are the lights we chose for a first planted tank.
hygger 18W LED Aquarium Light (18-24 inch) US
NICREW ClassicLED Plus Aquarium Light US
EHEIM classicLED plants 550 mm Spain
EHEIM classicLED daylight 550 mm Spain
Why we chose these (Best Light for a Beginner Planted Tank). Nobody here has used or tested them.
SubstrateA floating fern; it needs no substrate.
We are still choosing products for this.
Where to buy Salvinia Minima
Stores that list it under the same scientific name as this page. Links marked as affiliate links may earn us a commission. We have not bought from them, so check each store's own terms.
See it at The Shrimp Farm (a retailer; affiliate link)
We have not found a store that sells Salvinia Minima under its scientific name yet. We add stores as we confirm them.
Live animals and plants travel by courier. Check the store's live-arrival guarantee, and only buy once your tank has cycled (see how to cycle a fish tank).
Not allowed without a permit in: Ohio and Texas (see the local rules below)
Some US states restrict certain species. Check our US state aquarium rules table and your state's own rules before you buy.
Check your local rules on Salvinia Minima
Official lists name this plant or its close relatives. Rules differ by place, so check the rules where you live before you buy or keep one.
Spain
Spain's catalogue of invasive alien species lists the whole genus Salvinia, which includes this plant. The listing covers all of Spain, and it brings a general ban on keeping, transporting and selling live plants or pieces that could grow.
Source: Real Decreto 630/2013, consolidated text (BOE); Real Decreto 630/2013, consolidated text (BOE), article 7
European Union
The EU list of invasive alien species names Salvinia molesta, a different species. It does not name Salvinia minima, so check exactly which plant you have.
Source: Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1262 (Official Journal copy on BOE)
United States
The federal noxious weed list names Salvinia auriculata, Salvinia biloba, Salvinia herzogii and Salvinia molesta. It does not name Salvinia minima, so check exactly which plant you have. We read the 2024 printed edition of that list.
Ohio
Ohio's agriculture department lists Salvinia minima as an invasive plant, and its rule bans selling, propagating, distributing or bringing one into Ohio.
Source: Ohio Administrative Code, rule 901:5-30-01; Ohio Administrative Code, rule 901:5-30-01
Texas
Texas lists every species of Salvinia as a prohibited exotic plant and names Salvinia minima. Nobody may keep one or put one into Texas waters without permission from the state.
Source: Prohibited Exotic Species: Fish, Shellfish and Aquatic Plants (Texas Parks and Wildlife); Prohibited Exotic Species: Fish, Shellfish and Aquatic Plants (Texas Parks and Wildlife)
Never release aquarium animals or plants into the wild, including into ponds, rivers or drains.
This is general information, not legal advice. We last checked these lists on 4 November 2026, and the US state lists on 8 November 2026. Our US state aquarium rules table shows every state, including the ones whose lists we could not read. We did not check Spanish regional rules, and other countries have their own.
Salvinia Minima FAQ
How tall does Salvinia Minima grow?
Tropica lists growth to about 5 cm (2 in) in a tank, and it can grow larger over time.
What light does Salvinia Minima need?
Tropica rates its light demand as low. Most standard aquarium lights are enough.
How fast does salvinia grow?
Quickly in good light. It can double its coverage within weeks, so remove extras during each water change.
Is salvinia legal to keep?
It depends on where you live, because it is invasive in some regions. Check your local rules before buying, and never release it.
Salvinia Minima facts and sources
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