TankBud

Gratiola

Gratiola viscidula

Also known as Short's hedgehyssop, Sticky hedge hyssop, Sticky hedgehyssop

FreshwaterStemCuttingsSide shoots

Gratiola (Gratiola viscidula)
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Care at a glance

Light
Medium light
CO2
CO₂ beneficial
Temperature
59–82°F
15–28°C
Max height
5.9 in
15 cm
Growth rate
Slow
Placement
Midground
Type
Stem
pH
6.0–7.0
Hardness
0–12 dGH
Spread
2 in (5 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Root + water column
Growth region
Submersed or emersed
Difficulty
Medium
Family
Plantaginaceae
Origin
Southeastern and eastern United States (Florida north to Ohio and Delaware, west to Missouri)

Overview

Gratiola is a slow-growing stem plant for the foreground or midground, and a fairly recent addition to the aquarium hobby. It is rated medium in difficulty.

Did you know

Gratiola sometimes grows as an epiphyte in the wild, clinging to surfaces. That habit is why it can live on hardscape in a tank instead of in the substrate.

Caring for Gratiola

Plant Gratiola stems in the substrate a little apart. It is unusually flexible, and it can also be tied to wood or rock like a moss for a shag-carpet effect.

Give it medium light and clean, soft water that is slightly acidic to neutral, at 59 to 82°F (15 to 28°C). CO2 is not required, but it makes growth faster and denser. It feeds through its roots and its leaves, so root tabs and a liquid fertilizer both help.

Gratiola is a slow grower that needs patience. Trimmed low, it forms dense, flat, wide cushions. To make more, cut off the top of a stem or a side shoot with a few leaves and replant it.

Good to know

Gratiola viscidula belongs to the family Plantaginaceae, in the genus Gratiola, the hedge-hyssops. The species name viscidula refers to the slightly sticky, glandular texture of the plant. It has narrow, light green leaves. Despite its compact aquarium look, in the wild it grows as an emergent marsh herb.

In the wild

Gratiola is a North American wetland plant from the southeastern and eastern United States, from Florida north to Ohio and Delaware and west to Missouri. It grows in wet ground, ditches and pond margins.

Common questions

Does Gratiola 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 Gratiola need CO2?

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

How much light does Gratiola need?

Gratiola wants medium light. A light sold for planted tanks covers it.

Does Gratiola need root tabs?

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

How do you propagate Gratiola?

Gratiola 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 Gratiola grow?

Gratiola grows to about 5.9 in (15 cm) tall. It grows slowly and rarely needs trimming.

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