(set of 3 plants)
Limnophila (Limnophila sessiliflora) - fast-growing oxygenating anti-algae plant
A plant with slender stems and feathery foliage, Limnophila is a reliable choice for beginners and natural tanks: fast growth, strong absorption of nitrates and phosphates, and effective oxygenation of the water. Attractive, it structures the background and offers an ideal refuge for fry and shrimps.
What is Limnophila?
A natural water plant with flexible stems and finely cut leaves (soft green), also called Limnophila sessiliflora. It reaches 30-40 cm and is perfectly suited for freshwater tanks (including low-tech). Some replace the too delicate Cabomba with this plant which looks very similar but is much easier to grow!
Why choose Limnophila for your aquarium?
- 🛡️ Natural anti-algae: its very fast growth eagerly consumes nitrates and phosphates, depriving algae of resources.
- 🫧 Oxygenating: very active photosynthesis, visible pure oxygen bubbles on the leaves under strong light!
- ✅ Easy and tolerant: the perfect plant for beginners, with no notable demands for water, light, or temperature, and it does very well without added CO2.
- 🌿 Dense and natural decoration: feathery foliage that dresses the background and offers hiding places for fry, shrimps, and microfauna. It forms a dense curtain without “holes.”
Who is Limnophila suitable for?
- Beginners who want a simple and effective plant, beautiful, that succeeds and grows without fuss.
- Low-tech enthusiasts seeking intense biological activity to continuously cleanse the aquarium.
- Community tanks wanting a dense and light-colored background that will highlight darker or reddish plant groups.
- Shrimp or fry tanks for a fine and reassuring refuge.
Advice and use of Limnophila sessiliflora
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Planting: in the background to dress it with a light and dense curtain. Or in the middle zone, as a thicket rising among lower plants.
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Lighting: medium to strong for strong growth and tight foliage.
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Soil: simple sand is suitable. This plant mainly feeds from the water, through its leaves and all submerged tissues.
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Pruning/cutting: Occasionally cut a tall stem and replant it. The base will also regrow and your planting will thicken. Regular cutting prevents stems from thinning at the base. Limnophila can emerge if left alone, but it does so rather little, preferring to spread on the surface. Cutting and replanting allows the lower parts to be well lit again.
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Outdoors: possible only in summer (it fears cold). No wintering in ponds, but it is quite oxygenating in summer, for example in a trash pond.
FAQ - Limnophila sessiliflora
Is CO2 needed?
It is unnecessary. It grows perfectly well without CO2 in a natural tank. Adding it can at most speed up density.
Difference with Cabomba?
Limnophila sessiliflora is much less demanding, more tolerant, and simpler to care for, with a very similar feathery and light appearance.
How fast does it grow?
5 cm per week is common, sometimes even 10 cm per week in optimal conditions! And since it consumes nitrates and phosphates as fast as it grows, algae have a hard time gaining ground!
When to prune?
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Scientific name: Limnophila sessiliflora
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Plant type: oxygenating water plant with stems, large size
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Light: medium to strong
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Temperature: 22 to 28°C. In aquarium, or in pond only in summer.
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Water: not bothered at all by moderately hard water.
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Size: 40 to 50 cm maximum
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Growth: very fast
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Substrate: simple sand for example, little dependent on soil for nutrition.
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Propagation: very easy, by simple cutting of trimmed stems and replanting.
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Packaging: set of 3 plants (approximate weight: 15 g).
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Guarantee: our plants are guaranteed free of rock wool or any artificial substrate, ready to produce roots adapted to their new environment. They grow in non-sterile conditions (outside in vitro) and are already suited to a living aquarium.
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Recommendation: Although not classified as invasive plants (tropical origin), please do not release them into the wild. Our ecosystems are fragile and must be preserved.
