Mexican Oak Leaf care guide
Mexican Oak Leaf (Shinnersia rivularis) — medium light, 18-28 °C, pH 6-8, no CO2.
Overview
Mexican Oak Leaf (Shinnersia rivularis) is a broad-leaved plant of the family Asteraceae, grown as an aquarium plant. A robust and fast-growing stem plant with distinctive oak-shaped leaves. Very easy to grow, it makes an excellent background plant. Some varieties develop attractive white or cream variegation along leaf margins under bright light.
Taxonomy
- Family: Asteraceae
- Genus: Shinnersia
- Scientific name: Shinnersia rivularis
- Common synonyms: Mexican Oak-Leaf Plant, Shinnersia rivularis
Habitat
Shinnersia rivularis originates from North America, Central 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: 18-28 °C (64-82 °F)
- pH: 6-8
- GH: 3-15 °dGH
- Substrate: any
- Maximum height: 50 cm
- Growth rate: fast
- Nutrient demand: medium
- Recommended placement: background
- Typical trim interval: 7 days
Placement
In aquascapes this plant suits the background.
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.