Weeping moss

Care at a glance

Overview

Attach it to driftwood, branches, or stone with thread or glue and let the shoots cascade, which shows off the weeping habit best on raised or overhanging hardscape. It grows slowly and feeds from the water column, so steady liquid fertilization matters more than substrate; CO2 is optional but tightens and speeds growth. Keep flow moving past it and thin the mat occasionally so the inner shoots do not rot or trap mulm.

In the wild

Originally imported from China and also found in southern Japan, where it grows on wet rocks covered in sandy soil and along moist riverbanks. It adapts well to permanent submersion in soft, slightly acidic to neutral aquarium water.

Good to know

Vesicularia ferriei is a true moss in the family Hypnaceae, named (Cardot & Thér.) Broth. Its defining trait is overhanging, frond-shaped shoots that droop downward like a weeping willow, with leaves that are more obtuse and rounded than the pointed tips of related Vesicularia species.

Did you know

Unlike most aquarium mosses that grow upward or outward, weeping moss naturally points its new growth downward, so it is often planted high on hardscape specifically to create a dripping, willow-like curtain.

Related plants

• 

  Christmas moss

  Vesicularia montagnei

  Low lightEpiphyte2 in (5 cm)

• 

  Singapore moss

  Vesicularia dubyana

  Low lightEpiphyte2 in (5 cm)
• Erect moss

  Vesicularia reticulata

  Medium lightEpiphyte2 in (5 cm)
• Peacock moss

  Taxiphyllum sp. 'Peacock'

  Low lightEpiphyte2 in (5 cm)
• Spiky moss

  Taxiphyllum sp. 'Spiky'

  Low lightEpiphyte2 in (5 cm)
• Flame moss

  Taxiphyllum sp. 'Flame'

  Low lightEpiphyte3.1 in (8 cm)