Water mimosa (Neptunia oleracea) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Sensitive neptunia, Phak krachet, Rau nhut, Neptunia natans, Mimosa natans, Desmanthus natans
Family
Fabaceae (pea and bean family)
Origin
Pantropical; widely grown as a vegetable in Southeast Asia
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
150 cm
Temperature
22–32°C
pH
6–7.5
Care level
intermediate
Lighting
High light; best grown at the surface in strong light or sun
Flow
Still water

Care

Water mimosa is a nitrogen-fixing legume that grows creeping in wet mud at the water's edge or floating on still water. Floating stems develop thick white spongy tissue that keeps them afloat. Its feathery, twice-divided leaves fold up when touched, like a sensitive plant, and it bears small yellow pompom flowers in summer. In Southeast Asia the shoots are grown and eaten as a vegetable. It is a surface plant for open-topped tanks, paludariums, tubs and tropical ponds rather than a submerged aquarium plant. Floating stems can spread 1–1.5 m long (the maximum size given is spread, not height). Give it plenty of light and warmth; it is not frost hardy. The sources do not give aquarium water figures. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. Never release this plant or dispose of it in drains or waterways; it is invasive in some countries, where its floating mats block channels and crowd out native plants. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neptuniaoleracea); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Spreads by long floating stems; cut off a piece of stem with some roots and float it. It also sets seed in flat pods.

Compatibility and tank mates

Grows above and on the surface, so most fish leave it alone, though fish that nibble roots may graze the hanging roots. Needs warm (tropical) conditions and a lot of surface space; it will shade the tank below.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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