Ammania Gracilis care guide
Ammania Gracilis (Ammannia gracilis) — high light, 22-28 °C, pH 6-7, CO2 recommended.
Overview
Ammania Gracilis (Ammannia gracilis) is a broad-leaved plant of the family Lythraceae, grown as an aquarium plant. A tall stem plant with broad wavy-edged leaves that turn from olive-green to copper-red under high light. Its large leaf size makes it an excellent background plant that provides a colorful contrast behind smaller greenery.
Taxonomy
- Family: Lythraceae
- Genus: Ammannia
- Scientific name: Ammannia gracilis
- Common synonyms: Large Ammania
Habitat
Ammannia gracilis originates from Africa, where it grows in freshwater marshes, ditches and slow-moving streams, frequently emersed on seasonally flooded ground.
Growth requirements
- Lighting: high
- CO2: recommended
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 6-7
- GH: 2-10 °dGH
- Substrate: nutrient-rich aquasoil
- Maximum height: 50 cm
- Growth rate: medium
- Nutrient demand: high
- Recommended placement: background
- Typical trim interval: 10 days
Placement
In aquascapes this plant suits the background.
Propagation
Propagation is by stem cuttings replanted into the substrate; daughter plants are separated once they have formed several leaves and visible roots.
Common issues
Pale or stunted new growth usually signals a nutrient or iron deficiency, while algae on older leaves often follows light that exceeds the available nutrients or CO2; correcting fertilisation and trimming affected parts resolves most cases.