Limnophila rugosa

Care at a glance

Overview

A slow, bushy midground plant with broad glossy leaves that read more like a basil bush than an aquarium stem. Medium light suits it; CO2 is not mandatory but clearly helps a plant this slow hold clean leaves. That slowness is also the main failure mode: under aggressive light the older leaves collect algae before they are replaced, so keep light moderate and the water column fertilised. It branches willingly, and the side shoots detach easily, so trimming for shape doubles as propagation.

In the wild

Found along waters and in wet, partly shaded places across tropical Asia and into Oceania, from stream banks to paddies. It spends much of its life emersed on saturated ground and adapts to submersed growth in shallow water. Plants in the open sun stay compact, while shaded ones stretch.

Good to know

A member of Plantaginaceae, with the old synonym Herpestis rugosa. The epithet rugosa means wrinkled and describes the rugose, textured surface of the broad leaves. Those basil-like leaves make it an oddball in Limnophila, a genus known almost entirely for feathery, finely divided foliage.

Did you know

In parts of Asia this is a kitchen herb, not an aquarium plant: the wrinkled basil-like leaves carry an aroma reminiscent of anise and are used as a spice.

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