Creeping Charlie

Clinopodium brownei

Also known as Micromeria brownei, Mint Charlie, Browne's savory, Creeping mint charlie

FreshwaterStemCuttingsSide shoots

Creeping Charlie (Clinopodium brownei) — Alex Abair · CC BY 4.0

Care at a glance

Light: Medium light
CO2: No CO₂ needed
Growth rate: Fast
Placement: Midground
Type: Stem
Temperature: 68–82°F (20–28°C)
pH: 6.0–7.5
Hardness: 3–15 dGH
Max height: 15.7 in (40 cm)
Spread: 3.9 in (10 cm)
Nutrient uptake: Root + water column
Growth region: Submersed or emersed
Difficulty: Beginner
Origin: Native to swamps, ditches, and slow streams from Florida and the southeastern United States through Central and South America.
Family: Lamiaceae

Overview

Creeping Charlie is an easy, adaptable plant that grows fast in low to moderate light without CO2. Plant it in the midground or background, and trim it often, since it grows quickly and roots easily from cuttings. It tolerates a wide range of water conditions, making it a good beginner stem plant.

In the wild

Creeping Charlie has rounded, scalloped light green leaves on branching stems and a faint minty scent when crushed. It grows in swamps, ditches, and slow streams and sends up small light purple flowers when it reaches the surface. Underwater it grows fast and bushy and takes trimming well.

Good to know

This plant is a member of the mint family, Lamiaceae, and its accepted name is now Clinopodium brownei, though it is still widely sold as Micromeria brownei. The minty scent comes from aromatic oils typical of the mint family. It is a true aquatic rather than a bog plant forced underwater.