Water Snowflake care guide
Water Snowflake (Nymphoides indica) — medium light, 22-30 °C, pH 6-7.5, no CO2.
Overview
Water Snowflake (Nymphoides indica) is an aquatic plant of the family Menyanthaceae, listed in the Aquairi knowledge base as a beginner-level species. It is typically grown under medium light and without obligatory CO2 injection on any substrate. An elegant aquatic plant with round, floating lily-pad leaves and beautiful fringed white flowers that bloom at the water surface. The heart-shaped leaves provide shade and cover for fish below. Easy to grow and adds a natural pond-like aesthetic to open-top aquariums.
Taxonomy
- Family: Menyanthaceae
- Genus: Nymphoides
- Scientific name: Nymphoides indica
- Common synonyms: Floating Heart, Nymphoides indica
Habitat
Nymphoides is a genus of aquatic plants (Menyanthaceae) from tropical and warm-temperate freshwaters worldwide; species occur in shallow ponds, lakes and slow streams with leaves either floating or submersed. In the Aquairi knowledge base, populations associated with this form are recorded from South Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa.
Growth requirements
- Lighting: medium
- CO2: not required
- Temperature: 22-30 °C (72-86 °F)
- pH: 6-7.5
- GH: 3-15 °dGH
- Substrate: any
- Maximum height: 10 cm
- Growth rate: fast
- Recommended placement: floating
Placement
Midground rhizome plant; daughter rosettes spread laterally from a central rhizome, while older leaves may rise toward the surface under bright light. In the Aquairi knowledge base this form is recommended for the floating layer under medium light and without obligatory CO2 injection, using any substrate.
Propagation
Reproduces vegetatively by side rhizomes and daughter rosettes; separated rosettes with a root cluster grow into new plants. Documented propagation techniques for this entry include: horizontal runners.
Common issues
Large floating leaves shade the substrate and slower neighbours; trimming surface leaves keeps the colony compact and submerged.