Propagating Riccardia chamedryfolia (Mini Pellia)

How to propagate Coral moss by dividing the clump and tying thin portions onto hardscape. A very slow liverwort that needs good light, CO2 and clean water to thrive.

Overview

Riccardia chamedryfolia, formally the jagged germanderwort and known to aquarists as Mini Pellia or Coral moss, is a miniature liverwort from the damp forests of South-East Asia. Its intricate branching thalli resemble tiny green coral, and it has been adopted as an ornamental plant for the freshwater planted aquarium. It is prized for the extremely detailed, dense textures it forms on rocks and driftwood.

Tropica lists it with a high light demand, a medium CO2 requirement and a slow growth rate, reaching around 3 to 5+ cm after about two months. It is suited to attachment on hardscape and works well tied to rocks or driftwood.

Propagation Method (Division)

Coral moss is propagated by division: you separate a portion of the clump and tie or glue thin sections onto fresh hardscape. As a liverwort it is anchored mechanically rather than by true roots, so the tie holds it until it knits itself into a dense pad.

Step-by-Step

Remove a healthy portion of the clump, keeping it submerged throughout.
Divide it into thin sections rather than thick lumps so the whole portion contacts the surface.
Tie or glue each thin portion onto clean rock or driftwood.
Provide good light and CO2 in clean, well-maintained water.
Wait several weeks, as this slow grower needs time to anchor and fill in.

Conditions for Healthy Growth

Light: high demand; strong lighting drives its compact, detailed growth.
CO2: medium requirement (roughly 6-14 mg/L) supports healthy development.
Water: clean, stable conditions; it can adapt to a variety of water parameters.
Surface: tied or glued to rocks or driftwood as an epiphytic pad.

Maintenance

The plant is easy to maintain and needs little trimming once established, forming dense compact clusters. Trim lightly to keep the pad neat, and re-tie the removed pieces as new divisions. Keep the water clean so debris does not smother the fine fronds.

Common Challenges

Very slow establishment: expect a long wait before a new division anchors and fills in.
Light and CO2 hunger: weak light or low CO2 leads to thin, struggling growth.
Dirty water: detritus settling into the dense fronds degrades the fine coral texture, so keep water clean.