Blyxa Japonica (Blyxa japonica) Care Guide
A beautiful grass-like rosette plant with narrow arching leaves that create an elegant flowing effect in the midground.
Overview
Blyxa japonica is an aquatic plant in the family Hydrocharitaceae. A beautiful grass-like rosette plant with narrow arching leaves that create an elegant flowing effect in the midground. Under high light and CO2, the leaf tips turn golden-red, adding a warm accent to nature-style aquascapes where it is a staple plant.
Taxonomy
- Family: Hydrocharitaceae
- Genus: Blyxa
- Scientific name: Blyxa japonica
- Other names: Japanese Rush
Habitat
Native to China, Taiwan, Japan and Papua New Guinea; naturalised in Italy. In nature grows in shallow, stagnant waters such as rice paddies. Forms a rosette of grass-like leaves and acquires golden hues under high light and CO2.
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: midground
- Maximum height: 15 cm
Propagation
In cultivation the plant is propagated by vegetative division or fragmentation.