Limnophila Vietnam

Limnophila sp. 'Vietnam'

Also known as Limnophila sp. Vietnam, Limnophila sp. 'Mini Vietnam', Limnophila Mini Vietnam, Limnophila Vietnam Mini

FreshwaterStemCuttingsSide shoots

Limnophila Vietnam (Limnophila sp. 'Vietnam') — Buce Plant · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Light: High light
CO2: CO₂ required
Temperature: 64–82°F; 18–28°C
Max height: 9.8 in; 25 cm

Growth rate: Fast
Placement: Midground
Type: Stem
pH: 5.0–7.0
Hardness: 0–7 dGH
Spread: 1.6 in (4 cm)
Nutrient uptake: Root + water column
Growth region: Submersed or emersed
Difficulty: Medium
Family: Plantaginaceae
Origin: Presumed Vietnam; an unresolved trade species

Overview

Limnophila Vietnam is a stem plant for the midground of a high-tech tank. It rates medium in difficulty despite its fast growth.

Did you know

Limnophila Vietnam behaves backwards for its genus. Ambulia and the other familiar Limnophila grow as tall background columns. This one bends its stems sideways into cushions, so aquascapers get to use a Limnophila in the midground.

Caring for Limnophila Vietnam

Plant Limnophila Vietnam in the midground of a nano, or toward the front of a larger scape. Strip the lower leaves and set the stems a little apart.

It is a plant for soft, acidic, high-energy tanks, at pH 5 to 7 and 0 to 7 dGH. Give it strong light, injected CO2 and a full macro and micro dosing routine. In hard water or without CO2, it stunts and loses its looks.

With that support it grows fast into low, bushy cushions. Trim often and replant the tops, and it also spreads on its own with creeping shoots. It handles 64 to 82°F (18 to 28°C).

Good to know

Flowgrow lists Limnophila Vietnam as an undetermined species and places the genus in Plantaginaceae. It is a fine-textured stem with needle-like leaves 1.5 to 2.5 cm long, in whorls of five to seven. Under strong light the leaves are light green, with reddish-brown midribs and stems.

In the wild

Limnophila Vietnam is an unresolved Limnophila sold in the hobby under a Vietnamese collection name. No documented wild range has been published. The genus grows across tropical Asian wetlands, in paddies, ditches and stream margins. It sits emersed on wet mud for part of the year and submersed when flooded, and this form grows both ways in cultivation.

Common questions

Does Limnophila Vietnam 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 Vietnam need CO2?

Yes. Limnophila Vietnam needs injected CO2 to grow well, and it usually struggles without it.

How much light does Limnophila Vietnam need?

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

Does Limnophila Vietnam need root tabs?

They help. Limnophila Vietnam 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 Vietnam?

Limnophila Vietnam 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.