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Form of Limnophila aromatica

Limnophila aromatica Mini

Limnophila aromatica 'Mini'

The named form of Limnophila aromatica · See the species →

Also known as Limnophila aromatica 'Kalimantan Mini', Limnophila sp. 'Kalimantan Mini', Limnophila sp. 'Mini', Limnophila repens 'Mini', Limnophila Aromatic Mini

FreshwaterStemCuttingsSide shoots

Limnophila aromatica Mini (Limnophila aromatica 'Mini')
Buce Plant · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Light
High light
CO2
CO₂ beneficial
Temperature
72–82°F
22–28°C
Max height
11.8 in
30 cm
Growth rate
Fast
Placement
Midground
Type
Stem
pH
6.0–7.5
Hardness
3–14 dGH
Spread
2 in (5 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Root + water column
Growth region
Submersed or emersed
Difficulty
Medium
Family
Plantaginaceae
Origin
Probably Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo), exact origin unconfirmed

Overview

Limnophila aromatica Mini is a small, fast-growing stem plant for the midground. It rates medium in difficulty.

Did you know

Limnophila aromatica Mini was first sold as Limnophila sp. 'Mini' and was taken for L. repens. Christel Kasselmann's 2010 plant book placed it in L. aromatica because its flowers match the rice paddy herb.

Caring for Limnophila aromatica Mini

Plant Limnophila aromatica Mini as a low group in the midground, or near the front of a nano tank. Leave a little space between stems so light reaches the lower leaves. Its upright habit also suits a Dutch-style plant street.

Strong light, CO2, soft water and full macro and micro dosing bring out the brown-red. Under moderate light it still grows but stays pale green. It feeds through roots and leaves, so root tabs help alongside the liquid dosing.

It grows fast and looks best kept at 10 to 20 cm, though shoots can pass 30 cm. Top the group often and replant the cuttings. Keep it at 72 to 82°F (22 to 28°C).

Good to know

Limnophila aromatica Mini is a dwarf form of the rice paddy herb, in the family Plantaginaceae. Its serrated leaves are 1 to 2.5 cm long and sit in pairs or threes on stems about 2 mm thick. The midribs and stems often stay pale green when the leaves turn brown-red. A look-alike sold under the same name since about 2020 is Limnophila cf. hippuridoides 'Mini'. It carries star-shaped whorls of about five leaves with red-violet undersides.

In the wild

Limnophila aromatica Mini has no confirmed wild locality. Its other trade name, Kalimantan Mini, suggests it was collected in the Indonesian part of Borneo. Wild Limnophila aromatica ranges from India across Southeast Asia to Japan and northern Australia. There it grows in rice paddies, marshes and wet ditches, and often flowers above the water on wet mud.

Common questions

Is Limnophila aromatica Mini a different species from Limnophila aromatica?

No. Limnophila aromatica Mini is a form of Limnophila aromatica. It reaches about 11.8 in (30 cm), against 15.7 in (40 cm) for the species. It also differs in placement and spread.

Does Limnophila aromatica Mini 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 Limnophila aromatica Mini need CO2?

No, but it helps. Limnophila aromatica Mini can grow without injected CO2, and added CO2 makes it grow faster.

How much light does Limnophila aromatica Mini need?

Limnophila aromatica Mini needs high light from a strong planted-tank LED. In weaker light its stems stretch and drop their lower leaves.

Does Limnophila aromatica Mini need root tabs?

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

How do you propagate Limnophila aromatica Mini?

Limnophila aromatica Mini 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 Limnophila aromatica Mini grow?

Limnophila aromatica Mini grows to about 11.8 in (30 cm) tall. It grows fast, so expect to trim it often.

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