TankBud

Japanese cress

Cardamine lyrata

Also known as Chinese ivy, Bittercress, Lyre-leaf cress, Cardamine lyrata 'Vietnam'

FreshwaterStemCuttingsSide shoots

Japanese cress (Cardamine lyrata)
batra3x · CC BY 2.0

Care at a glance

Light
Medium light
CO2
CO₂ beneficial
Temperature
59–79°F
15–26°C
Max height
17.7 in
45 cm
Growth rate
Fast
Placement
Midground
Type
Stem
pH
6.0–7.5
Hardness
3–15 dGH
Spread
3.9 in (10 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Root + water column
Growth region
Submersed or emersed
Difficulty
Easy
Family
Brassicaceae
Origin
Native to wet meadows, ditches, and stream margins across China, Japan, and Korea in temperate East Asia.

Overview

Japanese cress is an easy, fast-growing stem plant for the midground of a cooler tank. Its trailing stems carry rounded, slightly scalloped light green leaves.

Did you know

Japanese cress grows tiny leaves in a warm tropical tank but noticeably larger ones when kept cool. You can change its look just by adjusting the temperature.

Caring for Japanese cress

Strip the lower leaves of Japanese cress and push the stems into the substrate a little apart. Use it in the midground or as a loose background group.

It wants medium light and fills out faster under stronger light. It grows without injected CO2, but added CO2 speeds it up. It feeds through both roots and leaves, so root tabs and a liquid fertilizer both help. Keep it at 59 to 79°F (15 to 26°C).

It grows fast, to about 18 in (45 cm). Trim the trailing stems often and replant the tops, since it can shade the plants below it. Side shoots can be cut off and planted on their own once they have a few leaves.

Good to know

Japanese cress is a member of the mustard family, Brassicaceae, alongside true cresses and cabbages. The species name lyrata refers to the lyre-shaped lower leaves, and it is also sold as Chinese ivy. It forms long white anchor roots at the nodes. Like its relatives it produces small white flowers with four petals above the water.

In the wild

Japanese cress is native to wet meadows, ditches and stream margins in China, Japan and Korea. It grows along cool stream banks, often scrambling over mud and rocks.

Common questions

Does Japanese cress need to be planted in the substrate?

Yes. Strip the leaves from the lower part of each stem, then push the stems into the substrate one at a time, a little apart.

Does Japanese cress need CO2?

No, but it helps. Japanese cress can grow without injected CO2, and added CO2 makes it grow faster.

How much light does Japanese cress need?

Japanese cress wants medium light. A light sold for planted tanks covers it.

Does Japanese cress need root tabs?

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

How do you propagate Japanese cress?

Japanese cress propagates by cuttings and side shoots. Cut off the top of a stem and replant it, and the stump left behind grows new shoots. Cut a side shoot off once it has a few leaves and plant it on its own.

How tall does Japanese cress grow?

Japanese cress grows to about 17.7 in (45 cm) tall. It grows fast, so expect to trim it often.

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