How much sun does Common Duckmeat need?

Common Duckmeat grows best in part shade conditions.

When does Common Duckmeat bloom?

Common Duckmeat blooms in April, May, and June.

Where is Common Duckmeat native?

Common Duckmeat (Spirodela polyrhiza) is native to AL, AR, AZ, CA and 44 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

Is Common Duckmeat HOA-friendly?

Common Duckmeat takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Common Duckmeat

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Spirodela polyrhiza

Last reviewed: July 2026

Light

part shade

Water

high

Size

0.5"–1" H × 2"–4" W

Bloom

Apr, May, Jun

Native to

AL, AR, AZ, CA and 44 more states

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 432 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Puget Lowland Marine West Coast Forest Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley North American Deserts Central Basin and Range Mojave Basin and Range Southern Rockies Arizona/New Mexico Mountains High Plains Southwestern Tablelands Central Great Plains Great Plains Cross Timbers Texas Blackland Prairies East Central Texas Plains Western Gulf Coastal Plain South Central Plains Eastern Temperate Forests Ozark Highlands Central Irregular Plains Northwestern Glaciated Plains Piedmont Northern Glaciated Plains Western Corn Belt Plains Northern Forests Northern Lakes and Forests North Central Hardwood Forests Driftless Area Southeastern Wisconsin Till Plains Central Corn Belt Plains Eastern Corn Belt Plains Southern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift Plains Huron/Erie Lake Plains Northeastern Highlands Northeastern Coastal Zone Northern Allegheny Plateau Erie Drift Plain Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Northern Piedmont Southeastern Plains Ridge and Valley Western Allegheny Plateau Interior Plateau Interior River Valleys and Hills Mississippi Alluvial Plain Southern Coastal Plain Southern Florida Coastal Plain Acadian Plains and Hills Eastern Great Lakes Lowlands Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Great duckweed is a tiny floating aquatic plant that forms dense mats on the surface of ponds, lakes, and slow-moving water. Each plant consists of small, round, flat fronds that multiply rapidly through budding. This native species requires permanent water and cannot survive in typical garden soil conditions.

In an HOA neighborhood

Common Duckmeat takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Aquatic plant unsuitable for typical landscaping
Can become invasive and cover entire water features
May appear messy or unkempt to neighbors

Wildlife value

Provides food for waterfowl, fish, and aquatic invertebrates. The dense mats offer shelter and breeding habitat for small aquatic animals.

Common questions

How much sun does Common Duckmeat need?: Common Duckmeat grows best in part shade conditions.
When does Common Duckmeat bloom?: Common Duckmeat blooms in April, May, and June.
Where is Common Duckmeat native?: Common Duckmeat (Spirodela polyrhiza) is native to AL, AR, AZ, CA and 44 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
Is Common Duckmeat HOA-friendly?: Common Duckmeat takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

Ready to grow Common Duckmeat? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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