Parrot Feather care guide
Parrot Feather (Myriophyllum aquaticum) — medium light, 16-28 °C, pH 6-8, no CO2.
Overview
Parrot Feather (Myriophyllum aquaticum) is an aquatic plant of the family Haloragaceae, listed in the Aquairi knowledge base as a beginner-level species. It is typically grown under medium light and without obligatory CO2 injection on nutrient-rich aquasoil. Bushy aquatic milfoil with feather-like, blue-green emersed and submerged foliage. Hardy nutrient sponge for cold-to-temperate ponds and outdoor setups; can be invasive.
Taxonomy
- Family: Haloragaceae
- Genus: Myriophyllum
- Scientific name: Myriophyllum aquaticum
- Common synonyms: Brazilian Watermilfoil
Habitat
Myriophyllum is a near-cosmopolitan genus of submersed stem plants (Haloragaceae) of ponds, lakes and slow streams, with finely pinnate whorled leaves. Several species are invasive outside their native range. In the Aquairi knowledge base, populations associated with this form are recorded from South America.
Growth requirements
- Lighting: medium
- CO2: not required
- Temperature: 16-28 °C (61-82 °F)
- pH: 6-8
- GH: 4-16 °dGH
- Substrate: nutrient-rich aquasoil
- Maximum height: 50 cm
- Growth rate: fast
- Recommended placement: background
Placement
A feathery midground-to-background stem grown in dense groups; bright light keeps the whorls tight, while shade leaves it sparse and elongated. In the Aquairi knowledge base this form is recommended for the background under medium light and without obligatory CO2 injection, using nutrient-rich aquasoil.
Propagation
Propagated by cuttings; trimmed tops replant readily and the stem branches freely from below the cut. Documented propagation techniques for this entry include: stem cuttings.
Common issues
The fine foliage traps detritus and is prone to algae when flow or maintenance is poor; insufficient light produces thin, widely spaced whorls.