Murdannia Keisak (Murdannia keisak) Care Guide

A fast-growing semi-aquatic stem plant with bright green bamboo-like leaves that can grow both submersed and emersed.

Overview

Murdannia keisak is an aquatic plant in the family Commelinaceae. A fast-growing semi-aquatic stem plant with bright green bamboo-like leaves that can grow both submersed and emersed. Very easy to cultivate and grows rapidly, making it useful as a nutrient sponge in newly established aquariums to outcompete algae.

Taxonomy

Family: Commelinaceae
Genus: Murdannia
Scientific name: Murdannia keisak
Other names: Asian Spiderwort, Bamboo Plant

Habitat

Native to East Asia, the species has naturalised across the southeastern United States and parts of Europe, where it is regarded as an invasive weed in wetlands and rice paddies. Grows as a semi-aquatic herb in saturated soils and shallow water.

Growth requirements

Light: medium (≈50-80 PAR at substrate)
CO2: optional (CO2 improves growth and coloration)
Temperature: 18-28 °C
pH: 6-7.5
GH: 2-15 °dGH
Substrate: sand or gravel
Nutrient demand: low
Growth rate: fast
Difficulty: beginner

Placement

Recommended placement: background
Maximum height: 30 cm
Trim every: 7 days

Propagation

In cultivation the plant is propagated by stem cuttings (replant the upper portion after trimming).