01
Overview
This is one of the few genuinely cold-tolerant aquarium stems, an actual watercress relative from East Asian streams and paddies. Its coin-shaped leaves and wandering, viney habit bring a soft cottage messiness that formal plants cannot fake.
02
Aquascaping use
It belongs in unheated tanks, goldfish setups, and cool-water biotopes where choices are few. Let it scramble semi-horizontally through midground wood rather than forcing it upright.
03
Planting
Plant loosely and let stems lean; they root from trailing nodes wherever they touch down. It transplants without complaint.
Flexible
04
Light & CO₂
Modest light suffices, and cooler water keeps growth tidy; warmth makes it lanky and weak. CO₂ is unnecessary.
05
Substrate & fertilization
Ordinary column dosing; in cold tanks metabolic pace is lower and so is demand. Yellowed old leaves are normal turnover.
Feeding behavior: Water-column feeder. Nutrient demand: moderate.
06
Growth, trimming & propagation
Trim wandering stems back to shape and replant tips freely. Frequent light cuts beat occasional hard ones for this rambler.
Stem cuttings
07
Common problems
- !Deteriorates in sustained tropical warmth
- !Rambling habit reads as untidy in formal scapes
- !Soft leaves tempt snails and herbivorous fish
