Creeping Rush care guide
Creeping Rush (Juncus repens) — medium light, 18-26 °C, pH 5.5-7, no CO2.
Overview
Creeping Rush (Juncus repens) is a grass-like plant of the family Juncaceae, grown as an aquarium plant. A grass-like plant that develops attractive reddish-brown tones under high light and good nutrient availability. Grows in a compact rosette form, making it a distinctive midground choice that differs from typical stem plants.
Taxonomy
- Family: Juncaceae
- Genus: Juncus
- Scientific name: Juncus repens
- Common synonyms: Juncus repens
Habitat
Juncus repens originates from North America, where it grows in freshwater marshes, ditches and slow-moving streams, frequently emersed on seasonally flooded ground.
Growth requirements
- Lighting: medium
- CO2: not required
- Temperature: 18-26 °C (64-79 °F)
- pH: 5.5-7
- GH: 2-10 °dGH
- Substrate: nutrient-rich aquasoil
- Maximum height: 20 cm
- Growth rate: slow
- Nutrient demand: medium
- Recommended placement: midground
- Typical trim interval: 30 days
Placement
In aquascapes this plant suits the midground.
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.