TankBud

Limnophila heterophylla

Also known as Columnea heterophylla

FreshwaterStemCuttingsSide shoots

Limnophila heterophylla (Limnophila heterophylla)
Ruppia2000 · CC BY-SA 3.0

Care at a glance

Light
Medium light
CO2
CO₂ beneficial
Temperature
59–86°F
15–30°C
Max height
19.7 in
50 cm
Growth rate
Fast
Placement
Background
Type
Stem
pH
5.0–8.0
Hardness
2–21 dGH
Spread
3.1 in (8 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Root + water column
Growth region
Submersed or emersed
Difficulty
Easy
Family
Plantaginaceae
Origin
Tropical and subtropical Asia, from Pakistan to China and Borneo

Overview

Limnophila heterophylla is a classic, inexpensive bunch plant for the background. It is easy and grows fast.

Did you know

A stem of Limnophila heterophylla that straddles the waterline wears two kinds of leaves at once. Below the surface it grows feathery, needle-fine whorls, and above it grows ordinary flat leaves.

Caring for Limnophila heterophylla

Plant the stems of Limnophila heterophylla singly in the background, with a little space so light reaches the lower whorls. Top the stems as they hit the surface and replant the tops.

Medium light is enough, and CO2 simply makes it denser. It feeds through its roots and from the water column, so a liquid fertilizer plus root tabs covers it. As a quick feeder, it helps new setups by outcompeting algae.

It is fast and forgiving across a wide band of temperature, hardness and pH. It grows at 59 to 86°F (15 to 30°C) and pH 5 to 8. If it thins out low down, that is a light problem, not a nutrient one.

Good to know

Limnophila heterophylla is a member of Plantaginaceae, first described from Roxburgh's Columnea heterophylla. The epithet means different-leaved, after the plant's two leaf forms. It is easily mistaken for Limnophila sessiliflora, its more widely sold relative.

In the wild

Limnophila heterophylla is widespread across the Asian tropics and subtropics, from Pakistan through China to Borneo. It grows in rivulets, rice paddies and ponds, in everything from soft to hard water. It is amphibious, living submersed or on wet margins. Its range reaches well into the subtropics, which explains its tolerance of cool water.

Common questions

Does Limnophila heterophylla 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 heterophylla need CO2?

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

How much light does Limnophila heterophylla need?

Limnophila heterophylla wants medium light. A light sold for planted tanks covers it.

Does Limnophila heterophylla need root tabs?

They help. Limnophila heterophylla 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 heterophylla?

Limnophila heterophylla 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 heterophylla grow?

Limnophila heterophylla grows to about 19.7 in (50 cm) tall. It grows fast, so expect to trim it often.

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