01
Overview
The onion plant grows from a fist-sized bulb into ribbon leaves that can exceed a meter, trailing along the surface like green streamers. It is one of the easiest large plants to keep and, poignantly, threatened in its native Thai rivers, so aquarium-propagated bulbs matter.
02
Aquascaping use
Use it as an easygoing background or a fish-proof plant in large cichlid and community tanks. The surface-trailing leaves create shifting shade below.
03
Planting
Set the roots in deep substrate while leaving roughly the upper two-thirds of the bulb visible. Burying the bulb too deeply invites rot.
Bury the roots only and leave roughly the upper two-thirds of the bulb exposed
04
Light & CO₂
Low light is genuinely enough, and no CO₂ is needed; it grows on stored energy and root feeding. Its ease is the whole appeal.
05
Substrate & fertilization
Root tabs support the big bulb and long leaves. It is not a heavy feeder for its size.
Feeding behavior: Root feeder. Nutrient demand: moderate.
06
Growth, trimming & propagation
Trim surface-crowding leaves at the bulb rather than shortening them. Remove offsets with roots to propagate.
Bulb offsets
07
Common problems
- !Leaves outrun small tanks and blanket the surface
- !Bulb rot if planted too deep
- !Dislikes relocation once established
