Blyxa Aubertii (Blyxa aubertii) Care Guide
A tall, grass-like rosette plant closely related to the popular Blyxa japonica but reaching much greater heights.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Blyxa aubertii is an aquatic plant in the family Hydrocharitaceae. A tall, grass-like rosette plant closely related to the popular Blyxa japonica but reaching much greater heights. Creates an elegant, flowing background with its long, narrow leaves that sway in current.
Taxonomy
- Family: Hydrocharitaceae
- Genus: Blyxa
- Scientific name: Blyxa aubertii
- Other names: Bamboo Plant
Habitat
Widespread across Asia, Europe, Africa and Australia; in the Western Hemisphere documented only from southwestern Louisiana. Forms a rosette of narrow leaves up to 60 cm long on short stems in shallow lakes and ponds.
Growth requirements
- Light: medium (≈50-80 PAR at substrate)
- CO2: pressurised CO2 recommended
- Temperature: 22-28 °C
- pH: 5.5-7
- GH: 2-10 °dGH
- Substrate: nutrient-rich aquasoil or fertilised gravel
- Nutrient demand: medium
- Growth rate: medium
- Difficulty: intermediate
Placement
- Recommended placement: background
- Maximum height: 40 cm
- Trim every: 21 days
Propagation
In cultivation the plant is propagated by vegetative division or fragmentation and runners (daughter plants on horizontal stolons).
Propagating Blyxa aubertii
Overview
Blyxa aubertii is a tall, grass-like rosette in the family Hydrocharitaceae with short stems rarely more than 3 cm long and long, narrow leaves up to 60 cm long but usually under 10 mm wide. It is widespread across Asia, Europe, Africa and Australia, and makes an elegant flowing background in the planted aquarium.
It is a rosette, not a topping stem plant: it is multiplied by dividing the clump and detaching the lateral side shoots it produces.
Propagation Method
Blyxa aubertii grows side shoots in much the same way as Blyxa japonica, only more slowly. As it grows it mostly kicks out side plants that enlarge the clump; you can later tear one off and replant it. Lifting the clump reveals several plants formed from one little bush, which you can snip apart.
Step-by-Step
- Let the rosette establish and send out lateral side shoots.
- Gently lift the whole clump from the substrate.
- Identify the individual daughter plants formed within the bush.
- Snip or tear them apart so each piece keeps healthy roots.
- Replant each division spaced apart in nutrient-rich substrate with a root tab.
Conditions for Healthy Growth
Blyxa requires moderate to bright light and is a medium-high light plant that is difficult to grow well without added CO2. It prefers soft, slightly acidic water and a nutrient-rich, root-fed substrate.
- Temperature: 22-28 C
- pH 5.5-7, GH 2-10 (soft, acidic)
- Medium-bright light, pressurized CO2 recommended, root tabs
Maintenance
Once adapted and rooted it is a very hardy plant tolerant of a wide range of parameters. Thin overcrowded clumps periodically and remove damaged leaves so light reaches the inner shoots.