Stem aquarium plants

Stem plants grow upward from a cut stem, which makes them the fastest way to fill a planted tank: trim the tops, replant them and one bunch becomes a bush. Reds and fine-leaved species usually ask for more light and CO2. Profiles list what each one wants.

Height: 3.9–39.4 in; 3.9 in (10 cm) to 39.4 in (100 cm); half the list stays at 15.7 in (40 cm) or under
Temperature: 68–82°F; 20–28°C, most of the list
Light: 10 low light; 62 medium light · 77 high light
CO₂: 21 no CO₂ needed; 87 CO₂ beneficial · 41 CO₂ required
Growth: 19 slow growing; 48 medium growth · 82 fast growing
Difficulty: 54 easy; 60 medium · 35 difficult

130 plants and 19 varieties

Start here

The stems to start with

The water wisteria is marked beginner for medium light, a fast stem to 19.7 inches (50 cm) with lace-cut leaves. The hygrophila polysperma is the same rating for low light, 17.7 inches (45 cm), and needs cutting back weekly. The rotala rotundifolia is marked easy, a fine stem that turns pink at the tips under more light. The ludwigia repens is marked easy in medium light, the red stem that needs no CO2. The giant bacopa is a slow, stiff stem for low light at 15.7 inches (40 cm), marked beginner. The pearlweed is a fast, small-leaved stem marked beginner that fills a midground in weeks.

The rule

How stems are grown

A stem plant is a cutting, and it grows like one. Each stem goes into the substrate on its own, an inch apart, so light reaches the lower leaves and the stand does not rot from the middle. When the tops reach the surface they are cut and replanted in front of the parents, which is how a stand thickens. Stems feed from the water column, so a liquid fertilizer does more for them than a root tab. And light decides the shape: a stem under weak light stretches and drops its lower leaves, and the red ones stay green.

01
Plant singly
An inch apart, so light reaches the lower leaves
02
Trim and replant
The tops go in front of the parents
03
Feed the water
Stems take liquid fertilizer over root tabs
04
Light decides shape
Weak light stretches a stem and greens a red one

Fast growers

Fast green stems

The Canadian waterweed is marked beginner for low light and grows to 23.6 inches (60 cm) rooted or floating. The hornwort has no roots at all and grows fast to 39.4 inches (100 cm). The guppy grass shelters fry and grows in any light, marked beginner. The Limnophila heterophylla is a feathery stem marked easy at 19.7 inches (50 cm). The Myriophyllum Snowflake is a soft milfoil marked easy at 23.6 inches (60 cm). The Japanese cress grows round leaves on a scrambling stem, marked easy with no CO2.

Compact

Compact stems for the middle

The Lobelia cardinalis grows slowly upright with pale green leaves at 11.8 inches (30 cm), marked easy. The creeping jenny has round leaves on an upright stem at the same height. The Hedyotis salzmannii is a fast, small-leaved stem marked easy at 7.9 inches (20 cm). The Gratiola is a slow, tiny-leaved stem marked medium at 5.9 inches (15 cm). The Ammannia Bonsai is a compact, thick stem marked medium at 7.9 inches (20 cm). The Hygrophila Araguaia turns brown-red under high light at 7.9 inches (20 cm), marked medium.

Reds

The red stems

The ludwigia super red is marked easy and lists high light, the brightest red without injected CO2 at 11.8 inches (30 cm). The alternanthera reineckii is marked medium, 19.7 inches (50 cm) of red-purple leaves. The Rotala H'ra is the red rotala for a tank without an expert behind it, marked medium. The ammannia gracilis is a fast stem that goes orange-red under high light. The rotala macrandra is marked difficult, the scarlet rotala for high light, steady CO2 and soft water. The Ludwigia Pantanal is one of the most demanding stems in the hobby.

Fine leaves

Fine-leaved stems

The green cabomba is the feathery classic at 23.6 inches (60 cm), marked medium for high light. The Limnophila aromatica turns purple under strong light, marked medium at 15.7 inches (40 cm). The Myriophyllum Guyana is a soft, fine milfoil marked easy for medium light. The stream bogmoss, Mayaca fluviatilis, grows in fine bright green needles at 15.7 inches (40 cm), marked medium. The rotala wallichii carries red needle leaves, marked difficult. The Pogostemon stellatus is a 23.6 inch (60 cm) showpiece for the back, marked difficult for the dosing it needs.

By the numbers

Smallest

Tallest

Easiest to grow

No CO₂ needed

Low light

Fast growers

FAQ

Common questions

What is the easiest stem plant?

The water wisteria, hygrophila polysperma, giant bacopa and pearlweed are marked beginner. The Canadian waterweed and hornwort grow in any tank and never need planting.

How do I plant stem plants?

Strip the leaves off the bottom inch, push each stem into the substrate on its own with tweezers, an inch apart, and leave the bunch band off. Roots follow within a week.