TankBud

Eriocaulon cinereum

Also known as Eriocaulon sieboldianum, Ash-grey pipewort, Erio cinereum, Eriocaulon 'Polaris', Eriocaulon cinereum 'Polaris', Eriocaulon sp. 'Polaris'

FreshwaterRosetteDivisionSeeds

Eriocaulon cinereum (Eriocaulon cinereum)
Show_ryu · CC BY-SA 3.0

Care at a glance

Light
High light
CO2
CO₂ required
Temperature
64–82°F
18–28°C
Max height
3.1 in
8 cm
Growth rate
Slow
Placement
Foreground
Type
Rosette
pH
5.0–7.0
Hardness
1–8 dGH
Spread
3.9 in (10 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Root + water column
Growth region
Submersed or emersed
Difficulty
Difficult
Family
Eriocaulaceae
Origin
Widely distributed across tropical Asia, Africa, and South America (paddyfields and marshes)

Overview

Eriocaulon cinereum is a demanding rosette for the foreground.

Did you know

Eriocaulon cinereum is one of the few aquarium Eriocaulon that is a true annual. It is genetically programmed to flower and die within a season. Keeping it long term means propagating replacements rather than growing one plant forever.

Caring for Eriocaulon cinereum

Plant Eriocaulon cinereum in a deep, nutrient-rich aquasoil with the crown just above the surface. It feeds through its leaves as well as its roots, so pair root tabs with a liquid fertilizer.

It needs strong light and injected CO2. Keep the water soft, slightly acidic and stable, with KH 1 to 4, since it reacts badly to hardness swings. It handles 64 to 82°F (18 to 28°C).

It grows slowly. Sooner or later it throws up flower stalks and declines. Keep a stock going by dividing clumps or letting it set seed.

Good to know

Eriocaulon cinereum belongs to Eriocaulaceae, the pipewort family. It is one of the more widespread members of the genus, with recognized African and Asian lineages. Its tiny gray-white flower heads sit on slender stalks and give it the epithet cinereum, meaning ash-gray.

In the wild

Eriocaulon cinereum is a small pipewort of seasonally wet ground, ricefields and marsh edges. It is found broadly across tropical and subtropical Asia, Africa and South America. In the wild it germinates in the wet season, flowers and dies back after setting seed.

Common questions

Does Eriocaulon cinereum need to be planted in the substrate?

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

Does Eriocaulon cinereum need CO2?

Yes. Eriocaulon cinereum needs injected CO2 to grow well, and it usually struggles without it.

How much light does Eriocaulon cinereum need?

Eriocaulon cinereum needs high light from a strong planted-tank LED.

Does Eriocaulon cinereum need root tabs?

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

How do you propagate Eriocaulon cinereum?

Eriocaulon cinereum propagates by division. Split a large clump into smaller ones and plant them separately.

How tall does Eriocaulon cinereum grow?

Eriocaulon cinereum grows to about 3.1 in (8 cm) tall. It grows slowly and rarely needs trimming.

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