Gratiola

Gratiola viscidula

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

FreshwaterStemCuttingsSide shoots

Gratiola (Gratiola viscidula) — no rights reserved · cc0

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

Easy enough given clean water and good light, but a slow grower that needs patience. It prefers soft, slightly acidic to neutral water and forms dense, flat, wide cushions, so it works trimmed low as a foreground or midground plant. CO2 is not required but makes growth faster and denser. It is unusually flexible and can even be tied to wood or rock like a moss for a shag-carpet effect.

In the wild

A North American wetland plant from the southeastern and eastern United States, found in wet ground, ditches, and pond margins. It is a fairly recent addition to the aquarium hobby, forming low, dense cushions of narrow light-green leaves.

Good to know

A member of the family Plantaginaceae in the genus Gratiola (the hedge-hyssops). The species name viscidula refers to the slightly sticky, glandular texture of the plant. Despite the compact aquarium appearance, in the wild it grows as an emergent marsh herb.

Did you know

In the wild it sometimes grows as an epiphyte, clinging to surfaces, so in the aquarium you can attach it to hardscape like a moss instead of planting it in substrate.