TankBud

Najas indica

Also known as Indian waternymph

FreshwaterStemCuttingsSide shoots

Najas indica (Najas indica)
Buce Plant · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Light
Medium light
CO2
No CO₂ needed
Temperature
64–86°F
18–30°C
Max height
23.6 in
60 cm
Growth rate
Fast
Placement
Floating
Type
Stem
pH
5.0–7.5
Hardness
1–14 dGH
Spread
9.8 in (25 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Water column
Growth region
Submersed
Difficulty
Easy
Family
Hydrocharitaceae
Origin
South, Southeast and East Asia

Overview

Najas indica is one of the easiest plants in the hobby, a fast floating stem popular in breeding and shrimp tanks. Fry disappear safely into its tangle.

Did you know

The brittleness of Najas indica is its propagation strategy, not a flaw. Its stems shatter into fragments when disturbed, and each fragment grows into a new plant. That is how a single bunch quietly fills a tank.

Caring for Najas indica

Leave Najas indica floating as a loose mass, or push stem bundles loosely into the substrate. It is kept the same way as its relative guppy grass.

It wants medium light and grows fast without added CO2. It feeds from the water column, so any feeding goes in as a liquid fertilizer. In a lean tank it doubles as a nutrient sponge. In a rich one it can shade everything below, so thin the mass by the handful.

It grows to about 24 in (60 cm) at 64 to 86°F (18 to 30°C). The stems snap at a touch, so expect it to spread around the tank rather than stay where you put it. Any length of stem cut off grows into a new plant, and side shoots can be planted on their own. Do not let trimmings reach the outdoors.

Good to know

Najas indica is a waternymph, now placed in the family Hydrocharitaceae after the old family Najadaceae was folded in. Its slender, brittle stems carry narrow, finely toothed leaves in apparent whorls. It was once treated as a variety of the very similar Najas minor, the brittle naiad. The two are still easily confused, but current floras keep them as separate species.

In the wild

Najas indica is found across tropical and subtropical Asia, from India through Southeast Asia into East Asia. It grows in still and slow-moving water such as ponds, ditches, canals and rice paddies. It lives entirely underwater as a rootless-looking tangle and cannot grow emersed. Populations behave as annuals in seasonal waters, regrowing from seed and fragments.

Common questions

Does Najas indica need to be planted in the substrate?

No. Najas indica can drift at the surface or be anchored in the substrate. It takes its nutrients from the water either way.

Does Najas indica need CO2?

No. Najas indica grows well without added CO2.

How much light does Najas indica need?

Najas indica wants medium light. A light sold for planted tanks covers it.

How do you propagate Najas indica?

Najas indica propagates by cuttings and side shoots. Any length of stem cut off grows into a new plant. Cut a side shoot off once it has a few leaves and plant it on its own.

How tall does Najas indica grow?

Najas indica grows to about 23.6 in (60 cm) tall. It grows fast, so expect to trim or thin it out often.

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