Sowing months
Mar–Apr, Jun–Jul
Sunlight
Part sun
Water
Grown floating on water
Mature size
1–2 cm, spreading mat
First harvest
Doubles in five days
Family
Salviniaceae
Where it grows
ground, terrace
Good for
biodiversity, food
Sow in
monsoon, summer
Care
Skim half the mat weekly or it smothers itself.
A floating fern that fixes nitrogen — fertiliser and fodder that grows itself.
Growing it
Skim half the mat weekly or it smothers itself.
What it is for
Azolla for paddy nitrogen and poultry feed; mosquito suppression.