Elatine Hydropiper care guide
Elatine Hydropiper (Elatine hydropiper) — high light, 18-25 °C, pH 6-7.5, CO2 recommended.
Overview
Elatine Hydropiper (Elatine hydropiper) is an aquatic plant of the family Elatinaceae, listed in the Aquairi knowledge base as an intermediate-level species. It is typically grown under high light with pressurised CO2 injection on any substrate. Tiny carpet plant with small lance-shaped leaves on creeping stems. Forms a fine green lawn in cooler tanks; less heat-tolerant than Monte Carlo but easier than HC Cuba.
Taxonomy
- Family: Elatinaceae
- Genus: Elatine
- Scientific name: Elatine hydropiper
Habitat
Elatine is a near-cosmopolitan genus of tiny amphibious plants (Elatinaceae) of pond margins and seasonally flooded ground; dwarf forms make fine foreground carpets. In the Aquairi knowledge base, populations associated with this form are recorded from Europe.
Growth requirements
- Lighting: high
- CO2: recommended
- Temperature: 18-25 °C (64-77 °F)
- pH: 6-7.5
- GH: 3-12 °dGH
- Substrate: aquasoil
- Maximum height: 3 cm
- Growth rate: medium
- Recommended placement: foreground carpet
Placement
A foreground carpet for high-energy tanks; strong light and CO2 keep the leaves tiny and the mat tight, while low light forces vertical growth. In the Aquairi knowledge base this form is recommended for the foreground as a carpet under high light with pressurised CO2 injection, using undefined.
Propagation
Spreads by creeping stems that root at the nodes; trimmed portions replant and the mat thickens quickly under good conditions. Documented propagation techniques for this entry include: stem cuttings.
Common issues
Demands bright light and CO2 to stay compact; under shade it stretches and thins, and trapped debris encourages algae on the fine foliage.