Glossostigma Elatinoides (Glossostigma elatinoides) Care Guide

One of the smallest carpeting plants, forming a dense low mat just a few millimeters high under intense lighting.

Overview

Glossostigma elatinoides is an aquatic plant in the family Phrymaceae. One of the smallest carpeting plants, forming a dense low mat just a few millimeters high under intense lighting. A staple of Takashi Amano-style nature aquascapes, but demands high light and CO2 to prevent vertical growth.

Taxonomy

Family: Phrymaceae
Genus: Glossostigma
Scientific name: Glossostigma elatinoides
Other names: Glosso

Habitat

Native to New Zealand, Australia and Tasmania, where it grows as a small creeping herb on damp banks of lakes and slow rivers. Popularised in aquascaping by Takashi Amano; in submerged culture forms a dense carpet only a few millimetres tall under intense light.

Growth requirements

Light: high (≥80 PAR at substrate)
CO2: pressurised CO2 recommended
Temperature: 20-26 °C
pH: 5.5-7
GH: 2-10 °dGH
Substrate: nutrient-rich aquasoil or fertilised gravel
Nutrient demand: high
Growth rate: fast
Difficulty: advanced

Placement

Recommended placement: carpet (foreground)
Maximum height: 3 cm
Trim every: 10 days

Propagation

In cultivation the plant is propagated by runners (daughter plants on horizontal stolons).