Water wisteria

Care at a glance

Overview

One of the easiest stem plants there is, good for beginners and as a nutrient sponge that helps starve out algae. Plant the stems in groups toward the back; they grow fast and need regular topping, with the trimmed tops replanted to propagate. It does fine in low to medium light without CO2, though added CO2 and brighter light speed growth and produce tighter, lacier leaves. Newly planted stems often melt and grow back in the submersed form, so do not panic if the first leaves drop.

In the wild

Native to the marshes, ditches, and slow streams of tropical Asia, from India and Myanmar through Thailand and the Malay Peninsula. It grows as an amphibious marsh plant, rooting in mud and pushing emersed shoots above the waterline in shallow seasonal water. Submersed it forms tall, feathery stems; emersed it produces simpler leaves and small blue-violet flowers.

Good to know

A member of the acanthus family (Acanthaceae), formerly traded under the name Synnema triflorum. It is strongly heterophyllous, meaning its leaf shape changes dramatically between the finely dissected submersed form and the broad, undivided emersed form. The species epithet 'difformis' refers to this variable leaf morphology.

Did you know

Because it can be torn into pieces and floated, water wisteria is often used as a free-floating spawning mop and fry refuge; even a leaf fragment will sprout roots and become a new plant.

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