(set of 2 stems)
Om Kop (Limnophila rugosa): the aromatic plant with embossed leaves
An amphibious plant with a unique texture
With its intensely green leaves and unique "embossed" appearance, Om Kop (scientifically known as Limnophila rugosa) is a plant that stands out.
More than just an aquarium plant, it is a true amphibious plant. While it thrives underwater, it can also grow above the surface to offer you pretty purple flowers and release a surprising anise scent (it is even used as a culinary herb in Asia!).
Why choose Om Kop?
- 🌟 A unique "light-capturing" texture: unlike most aquatic plants with smooth leaves, its veined foliage spectacularly catches the light. It visually structures the tank.
- 🦠 5-star hotel for the microbiota: this is Aquazolla's secret. The irregular surface of its leaves provides a huge colonization area for beneficial bacteria and biofilm. Your water lice and your snails will spend hours cleaning every nook and cranny.
- 🐢 A "calm" growth: it grows slower than its cousin Limnophila sessiliflora, which saves you from weekly trimming.
- 🌍 Versatile (Indoor / Outdoor): hardy, it adapts perfectly to your ponds and poubellariums during summer, where it can fully express its potential as an emergent plant.
Planting and maintenance tips
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Placement: ideal in the background or central mass. Plant the stems in small groups leaving some space between them so light can reach the base.
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Soil and nutrition: its roots mainly serve as anchorage. A simple sandy substrate is therefore more than enough!
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Maintenance: it's common sense: when it reaches the surface, cut the top and replant it. The mother plant will produce new shoots, densifying your planting for free.
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Temperature: it tolerates a wide temperature range (20 to 28°C).
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Light: it prefers medium to strong lighting to keep short, compact internodes.
Possible uses
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Community and low-tech aquariums: perfect in the background to create a dense "plant wall" that reassures shy fish.
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Aquascaping (Dutch Style): highly valued for its "mint leaf" texture that creates a strong contrast with plants having fine or red leaves.
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Pond, mini-pond, and poubellarium: in summer, it thrives outdoors. It serves as a spawning substrate and shelter for wildlife, while offering decorative aerial flowering.
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Wabi-Kusa and Paludarium: its ability to grow out of water in a humid atmosphere makes it an ideal candidate for emergent compositions.
FAQ - Om Kop (Limnophila rugosa)
Does it need a nutrient-rich substrate?
No, not for this plant. It mainly feeds through the water column. An inert substrate (sand) suits it very well.
Is it difficult to maintain?
No, it is a hardy plant. It just requires proper lighting to avoid etiolation.
Can it flower?
Yes! If you let it reach the surface (in an open tank or poubellarium in summer), it will form aerial parts and small purple flowers, releasing its characteristic anise scent.
Why are my leaves turning reddish?
That's an excellent sign! Under intense lighting, the tips of Limnophila rugosa can take on very attractive bronze or violet hues.
Additional information
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Scientific name: Limnophila rugosa
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Origin: Southeast Asia
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Height: 10 to 50 cm (depending on water height and trimming)
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Packaging: set of 2 stems.
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Aquazolla Guarantee: no 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. It is not native to our regions and should normally not naturalize, but we must protect our ecosystems.
