Flame Moss care guide
Flame Moss (Taxiphyllum 'Flame') — medium light, 20-28 °C, pH 5.5-7.5, no CO2.
Overview
Flame Moss (Taxiphyllum 'Flame') is a fine needle-leaved plant of the family Hypnaceae, grown as an aquarium plant. Distinctive moss whose stems grow vertically with a twisted, flame-like silhouette. Adds dramatic vertical movement to aquascapes; tolerant of warm tanks but slow to establish.
Taxonomy
- Family: Hypnaceae
- Genus: Taxiphyllum
- Scientific name: Taxiphyllum 'Flame'
- Common synonyms: Vertical Moss
Habitat
Taxiphyllum 'Flame' originates from Asia, 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: 20-28 °C (68-82 °F)
- pH: 5.5-7.5
- GH: 2-12 °dGH
- Substrate: any
- Maximum height: 12 cm
- Growth rate: slow
- Nutrient demand: low
- Recommended placement: epiphyte on wood or rock
- Typical trim interval: 30 days
Placement
In aquascapes this plant grows as an epiphyte on wood or rock.
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.