Freshwater Plants

Hygrophila Pinnatifida is a unique plant that originates from India. The leaves can range from brown, purple, red, green or yellow depending on the conditions that its kept in. This plant does best under high lighting with Co2 and fertilization.

Cryptocoryne Becketii  leaves are generally smaller and more slender with a dark green to olive brown and a purple underside. As with all crypt plants, this plant can be sensitive to changes in water parameters and don’t like to be moved. It is normal for the plant to undergo “crypt melt” when introduced to a new tank, or if water conditions change too much. The leaves of the plant begin to rot and essentially melt away. If this process begins, you can cut away any rot and attempt to stabilize the water. They should produce new growth once they have acclimated. These plants will also melt if the lighting is too strong. Moderate to low lighting is sufficient for this plant.

Bacopa Platinum Tissue Culture is an uncommon mutation of the popular aquarium plant, Moneywort or Water Hyssop. It is one of the first plants to be featured in the aquarium market and requires regular upkeep and pruning to remain in compact form when reaching for the light source. It is tougher to cultivate than the original green color since it lacks the green pigment necessary for photosynthesis.

Limnophila Aquatica sp. Dwarf is a native of southeast Asia, where it grows along the banks of slow moving to stagnant bodies of water. It differs from the similarly sized L. aquatica in that the leaves near the shoot apex are pale green with a red tinge. Although it has been in the hobby for many years, L. sp. Dwarf is a very rare plant in the United States. However, one could always procure it from vendors that regularly import plants from Oriental Aquariums in Singapore. When growing conditions are to its liking, L. sp. Dwarf grows at an astonishing pace that is typical for its genus. It spreads invasively into other plant groupings by producing runner-like stems at the base. To prune, simply cut the more robust top portions and replant. Propagation can be done by snipping off a side shoot from the main stem and replanting it into the substrate. This fine-leaved stem plant is an excellent candidate for the background of medium to large sized aquariums. It looks especially beautiful in Dutch layouts where it is carefully contrasted with plants of differing leaf sizes, textures, and colors.