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

Give it strong light and a good macro and micro nutrient supply to bring out the orange-red to pink tones, with CO2 injection making a noticeable difference. It branches at short intervals into an easy bush, and it tends to drop lower leaves, so hide the bare stem bases behind driftwood or midground plants. Trim and replant the healthy tops to keep it compact.

In the wild

The exact wild origin of this stem plant is unclear, but it is generally thought to come from East Asia. It grows in the aggressive branching style typical of Persicaria, forming a dense low bush rather than a single tall stem, and can be grown both submersed and emersed.

Good to know

It belongs to the knotweed family Polygonaceae and circulates in the hobby under the informal name Persicaria sp. 'Kawagoeanum', so it has never been tied to a firmly accepted species epithet. The narrow lance-shaped leaves reach roughly 8 to 12 cm long and 0.6 to 1 cm wide, giving it a willow-leaf look.

Did you know

Under bright light and good nutrients the normally green willow-like leaves flush to glowing orange-red and pink, one of the more dramatic color shifts among the willow-leaf stem plants.