(set of 3 stems)
Water hyssop (Gratiola officinalis): the elegance of wild banks
Water hyssop (Gratiola officinalis) is a magnificent amphibious plant native to our regions. With its small light-green leaves, perfectly opposite one another along an upright stem, it adds a geometric and highly structured touch to your aquatic landscapes.
Particularly robust, this bank plant adapts wonderfully to fully submerged life in an aquarium, but it will reveal its full potential (and its lovely white or pinkish tubular flowers) if you allow it to emerge in a paludarium or outdoor pond.
Why choose water hyssop?
- 🌿 Geometric architecture: its symmetrical leaves create a striking visual contrast with plants featuring more unruly or carpeting foliage.
- 🛡️ Outstanding hardiness: as a native plant, it is exceptionally hardy. It is not bothered by parameter fluctuations or our winters outdoors.
- 🦐 An excellent support for microfauna: its upright stems provide perfect pathways for your snails and quality shelter for your water lice.
- 🌸 Easy flowering: in a pond, a summer tub pond, or a paludarium, it will reward you with delicate flowers from the first warm days.
Planting and cultivation tips
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Light: medium to high. It likes light to maintain a compact growth habit and prevent its base from becoming bare.
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Substrate and nutrition: a neutral substrate, such as ordinary sand, suits it perfectly. It draws its nutrients directly from the water column, enriched by your tank's natural cycle.
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Maintenance: this is a classic stem plant. Cut off the top when it reaches the surface and replant it right beside the original stem to thicken your group.
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Temperature: 4 to 28°C. It is perfect for unheated tanks, temperate aquariums, and outdoor ponds kept year-round.
⭐ Tip: plant the stems in small groups, spacing them a few centimeters apart, so that light reaches the bottoms of the stems and your group remains dense.
Possible uses
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Low-tech aquarium: in the background or midground, it structures the space in a very clear and bright way.
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Pond and natural pool: along the banks or in shallow areas, it purifies the water and provides refuge for amphibians and aquatic insects.
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Wabi-Kusa and paludarium: very comfortable with its "feet in the water," it forms superb dense groups in a humid emergent zone.
FAQ - Water hyssop (Gratiola officinalis)
Does it need added CO2?
No, it is completely unnecessary. Good lighting and the nutrients naturally present in a balanced tank are more than sufficient for its growth.
Can it spend the winter outdoors?
Yes, without any problem. In a pond or tub pond, its foliage may disappear with frost, but its roots will survive the winter and it will grow back even more vigorously in spring.
Why are the bottom leaves falling off its stems?
This is a sign of insufficient light at the base. Make sure not to plant it too densely and place it in a well-lit area.
Additional information
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Scientific name: Gratiola officinalis
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Origin: Europe, temperate Asia
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Plant type: perennial amphibious plant
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Light: medium to high
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Temperature: 4 to 28°C (but the base survives even the most severe frosts)
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Height: 15 to 40 cm (can be kept shorter with regular trimming)
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Packaging: set of 3 stems
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Guarantee: without rock wool or any artificial substrate of any kind.
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Recommendation: as a precaution, please never release this plant into the wild. Our wild aquatic ecosystems are precious and fragile.
