Blyxa novoguineensis

Also known as Red Blyxa, Blyxa aubertii 'Red', Blyxa sp. 'Novoguineensis', Blyxa cf. novoguineensis

FreshwaterRosettePlantletsSide shoots

Care at a glance

Light: Medium light
CO2: CO₂ beneficial
Temperature: 68–82°F; 20–28°C
Max height: 11.8 in; 30 cm

Growth rate: Medium
Placement: Midground
Type: Rosette
pH: 5.5–6.8
Hardness: 1–8 dGH
Spread: 5.9 in (15 cm)
Nutrient uptake: Root + water column
Growth region: Submersed
Difficulty: Medium
Family: Hydrocharitaceae
Origin: Southeast Asia (trade origin; true species from New Guinea)

Overview

Blyxa novoguineensis grows as a bushy, reddish rosette in the midground. It is not difficult, though it rewards attentive dosing.

Did you know

Blyxa novoguineensis is probably sold under the wrong name. Herbarium type material of the true species shows a long, sparsely leaved stem, while the aquarium plant forms a compact rosette.

Caring for Blyxa novoguineensis

Plant the rosette in the substrate, burying the roots and leaving the crown just above the surface. Its leaves are soft and brittle, so keep it away from strong flow and from boisterous or plant-nibbling fish.

Blyxa novoguineensis wants medium light, and it holds its reddish-brown to red tones even there. It feeds through both roots and leaves, so pair root tabs with an iron-rich liquid fertilizer. Soft, slightly acidic water with a pH of 5.5 to 6.8 suits it, at 68 to 82°F (20 to 28°C). It grows without injected CO2, but CO2 and a steady iron supply deepen the red.

It grows at a medium pace. Small daughter plants appear at the base of the rosette, and short side shoots form too. Lift a daughter plant once it has a few roots and plant it on its own. A side shoot is ready to cut once it has a few leaves.

Good to know

Blyxa novoguineensis sits in the family Hydrocharitaceae. Most botanists treat the cultivated plant as a red form of Blyxa aubertii rather than a genuine B. novoguineensis. It is also sold as Red Blyxa and Blyxa aubertii 'Red'. It forms a dense fountain of narrow, grass-like leaves.

In the wild

The plant traded as Blyxa novoguineensis comes from still and slow waters in Southeast Asia, where it grows rooted in soft substrate. The true Blyxa novoguineensis Hartog is endemic to New Guinea.

Common questions

Does Blyxa novoguineensis need to be planted in the substrate?

Yes. Bury the roots and leave the crown, where the leaves join, just above the substrate.

Does Blyxa novoguineensis need CO2?

No, but it helps. Blyxa novoguineensis can grow without injected CO2, and added CO2 makes it grow faster.

How much light does Blyxa novoguineensis need?

Blyxa novoguineensis wants medium light. A light sold for planted tanks covers it.

Does Blyxa novoguineensis need root tabs?

They help. Blyxa novoguineensis takes nutrients through both its roots and its leaves. Root tabs near its roots and a liquid fertilizer cover both.

How do you propagate Blyxa novoguineensis?

Blyxa novoguineensis propagates by plantlets and side shoots. Small plantlets form on the plant and can be detached once they have a few roots. Cut a side shoot off once it has a few leaves and plant it on its own.