Staurogyne Stolonifera care guide
Staurogyne Stolonifera (Staurogyne stolonifera) — medium light, 20-28 °C, pH 6-7.5, no CO2.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Staurogyne Stolonifera (Staurogyne stolonifera) is an aquatic plant of the family Acanthaceae, listed in the Aquairi knowledge base as an intermediate-level species. It is typically grown under medium light and without obligatory CO2 injection on nutrient-rich aquasoil. A compact spreading plant that propagates via stolons, forming a dense carpet of small, pointed leaves. Closely related to Staurogyne repens but with a more pronounced creeping habit. An attractive foreground choice for well-lit planted aquariums.
Taxonomy
- Family: Acanthaceae
- Genus: Staurogyne
- Scientific name: Staurogyne stolonifera
- Common synonyms: Creeping Staurogyne
Habitat
Staurogyne is a pantropical genus of Acanthaceae growing on stream banks and seasonally flooded plains. Aquarium species form low compact bushes when grown submersed. In the Aquairi knowledge base, populations associated with this form are recorded from South America.
Growth requirements
- Lighting: medium
- CO2: not required
- Temperature: 20-28 °C (68-82 °F)
- pH: 6-7.5
- GH: 3-12 °dGH
- Substrate: nutrient-rich aquasoil
- Maximum height: 8 cm
- Growth rate: slow
- Recommended placement: foreground
Placement
Foreground or low-midground stem; closely planted portions develop into a dense low cushion under bright light and CO2. In the Aquairi knowledge base this form is recommended for the foreground under medium light and without obligatory CO2 injection, using nutrient-rich aquasoil.
Propagation
Cuttings root rapidly; trimming the tops and replanting them increases density and accelerates a foreground bush. Documented propagation techniques for this entry include: horizontal runners, stem cuttings.
Common issues
Pale or yellowing new leaves usually indicate iron deficiency; a balanced macro/micro routine and stable CO2 restore the dark-green submersed form.
Propagating Staurogyne stolonifera
Overview
Staurogyne stolonifera is a short, bushy South American stem plant grown for the foreground. Closely related to Staurogyne repens, it spreads sideways with a creeping habit, sending out stolons (runners) that produce new plantlets — making it well suited to a low, dense carpet.
Under higher light it spreads sideways with a creeping stem; under lower light it grows more vertically with longer internodes like an ordinary stem plant.
Propagation Method
There are two complementary routes: dividing the stolons that the plant runs out across the substrate, and taking ordinary stem cuttings. The creeping rhizome or stem can be cut at a leaf node, and the remaining stem will send up new shoots, so every cut both yields a new plant and thickens the parent.
Step-by-Step
- Find a stolon that has rooted and formed a small plantlet away from the mother plant.
- Snip the runner connecting it to the parent and gently lift the rooted plantlet.
- Replant the plantlet into nutrient-rich substrate with a little space around it for unobstructed light.
- For cuttings, cut the top shoot about an inch or longer and push it directly into the substrate; the parent stem will re-shoot from the cut node.
Conditions for Healthy Growth
Give it medium light and place it in the middle or foreground with some distance from neighbours so it receives unobstructed light — this encourages the dense, creeping carpet rather than tall, leggy growth. A nutrient-rich substrate supports its spread. It can also be grown emersed.
Trimming & Maintenance
The plant takes pruning very well. Trim the tops to keep the carpet low and bushy, replant the trimmings, and let the stolons continue colonising open substrate. Bushes tolerate overcrowding well, so it suits low-maintenance aquascapes.
Common Challenges
The usual problem is too little light or shading from taller neighbours, which makes the plant stretch upward with long internodes instead of carpeting. Giving it open, well-lit space restores the compact creeping habit.