Persicaria kawagoeanum

Persicaria sp. 'Kawagoeanum'

Also known as Polygonum kawagoeanum, Persicaria sp. Kawagoeanum

FreshwaterStemCuttingsSide shoots

Care at a glance

Light: High light
CO2: CO₂ beneficial
Temperature: 73–81°F; 23–27°C
Max height: 15.7 in; 40 cm

Growth rate: Fast
Placement: Background
Type: Stem
pH: 5.0–7.0
Hardness: 2–15 dGH
Spread: 3.1 in (8 cm)
Nutrient uptake: Root + water column
Growth region: Submersed or emersed
Difficulty: Medium
Family: Polygonaceae
Origin: Uncertain, possibly East Asia

Overview

Persicaria kawagoeanum is a fast-growing stem plant with a willow-leaf look, suited to the background. It is rated medium in difficulty.

Did you know

Persicaria kawagoeanum has leaves that are normally green. Under bright light and good nutrients they flush a glowing orange-red and pink, one of the more dramatic color shifts among the willow-leaf stem plants.

Caring for Persicaria kawagoeanum

Strip the lower leaves and plant the stems one at a time in the background, a little apart. Persicaria kawagoeanum tends to drop its lower leaves. Hide the bare stem bases behind driftwood or midground plants.

Give it strong light and a good supply of macro and micro nutrients, through root tabs and a liquid fertilizer. It grows without injected CO2, but CO2 makes a noticeable difference. Keep it at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C).

It grows fast, so trim it often and replant the healthy tops to keep the bush compact. Side shoots with a few leaves can be cut off and planted on their own.

Good to know

Persicaria kawagoeanum belongs to the knotweed family, Polygonaceae. It circulates in the hobby under the informal name Persicaria sp. 'Kawagoeanum' and has never been tied to a firmly accepted species epithet. Its narrow, lance-shaped leaves reach roughly 8 to 12 cm long and 0.6 to 1 cm wide. Like other Persicaria, it branches at short intervals into a dense bush rather than a single tall stem.

In the wild

The exact wild origin of Persicaria kawagoeanum is unclear, but it is generally thought to come from East Asia. It can be grown both submersed and emersed.

Common questions

Does Persicaria kawagoeanum 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 Persicaria kawagoeanum need CO2?

No, but it helps. Persicaria kawagoeanum can grow without injected CO2, and added CO2 makes it grow faster.

How much light does Persicaria kawagoeanum need?

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

Does Persicaria kawagoeanum need root tabs?

They help. Persicaria kawagoeanum takes nutrients through both its roots and its leaves. Root tabs near its roots and a liquid fertilizer cover both.

How do you propagate Persicaria kawagoeanum?

Persicaria kawagoeanum 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.