The tropical freshwater plant moneywort is a great choice for beginners. They are so popular because of their easy upkeep and adaptability. This plant is versatile, great-looking, and can be used to decorate the aquarium.
Moneywort Description
Table of Contents
Appearance
The moneywort plant is frequently used in aquascaping due to its leaves’ structure and sluggish growth rate. It appears green, yet its young stems and leaves are typically a pinkish or coppery brown. The water’s nutritional content and the addition of carbon dioxide dosage determine the plant’s color and growth rate.
The stems can grow vertically and extend above the aquarium’s rim. There are various species of Bacopa, among which Moneywort has one of the tiniest leaf forms. In contrast to most other aquarium plants, the stem of this one grows straight when submerged. However, it transforms into a creeping plant once it emerges from the water.
Natural Habitat
Natural habitats for moneywort include the subtropical zones of southern Asia, specifically India, Vietnam, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. It has also been discovered in Madagascar and the southern parts of Africa and Australia. Moneywort is native to the eastern hemisphere and can be found in the Caribbean and parts of the United States.
Moneywort grows in freshwater and saltwater environments. Its growth conditions range from submerged to completely immersed. It is a highly adaptable plant, which makes it a potentially invasive species in some regions.
Expansion Rate
This plant’s fast growth rate is useful and problematic for aquarium keepers. Typically, it takes months to reach its full height of 12 inches. On the other hand, aquarists prefer this plant because they won’t have to prune it constantly. However, it is not ideal for people who have trouble waiting their turn.
Moneywort has succeeded in drawing attention to the fish tank notwithstanding. In 3–4 weeks, your plant should have grown about an inch if you offer it perfect lighting conditions. Moreover, you might anticipate higher outcomes if you maintain high nutritional quality.
Tank Mates
Many common freshwater aquariums fish and non-fish tank mates can coexist peacefully with Moneywort, at least better than with most plants. It is great for housing common fish like barbs, danios, swordtails, cherry barbs, angelfish, neon tetras, and pearl gourami. However, you must note that these plants require tolerate water temperatures, or they’ll experience compact growth.
Goldfish eat moneywort. They are unpredictable around live plants. Therefore, you must avoid putting this fish in the tank. Moreover, tetras are harmful because they frequently consume aquatic plants. Ram Cichlids, such as the German Blue Ram, is a fantastic option since their vivid colors stand out against the water’s emerald backdrop.
Livebearers can also benefit from Floating Moneywort’s attractive foliage. They’re perfect for little fish to take cover and feel safe from predators. It gets along well with dwarf cichlids and Bettas shrimp, which help control algae’s spread.
To be safe, though, you should avoid coming into contact with any herbivorous snails. Moreover, you should also resist keeping this plant with fish that can disrupt substrate and raise roots, such as African Cichlids.
Moneywort Plant Care Maintenance
You can use this plant as a background, a carpet, a middle ground, and a dense floating plant. Its roots should be able to spread out at least 0.5 inches below the surface, and the stems should be placed 2.5 inches apart. Aquarium tweezers are ideal for handling them because of how securely they grip.
You need not be going through any hardship for it to float. The divided stem plants can be placed over the tank and allowed to float freely on top. So long as you keep providing them with light and food, they will start growing.
Temperature Requirements
Moneywort requires 72 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit to grow. However, the ideal temperature for development is around 76 degrees Fahrenheit.
Light Requirements
Provide the correct illumination for your aquarium with a minimum of 2 watts per gallon of full–spectrum lights, and watch your Moneywort thrive.
You should expose them to light for 12 hours every day to maximize plant growth. If you have a hard time placing your plant directly under the full-spectrum light, use LED lights instead. They are easier to come by.
The position of the lights, the type of lights utilized, and the length of time these lights are used will affect how much light your aquarium plants need.
Water Parameters
Moneywort is not picky when it comes to water conditions. The optimal growing conditions involve striking a balance between light and nutrients for it to thrive and outgrow algae. Too many nutrients might not work well for this plant.
You can produce moneywort in a freshwater aquarium by following these general guidelines:
- 0% ppm ammonia
- Nitrite concentration = 0 ppm.
- Reduced nitrate levels to below 40 ppm
- pH: 6.5-7.5
It is a common misconception that aquarium plants may thrive without nitrates. Phosphates and other trace elements found in municipal water are equally essential for their health. Otherwise, you might have to try a dose of dry or liquid fertilizer or some other technique of remineralizing the aquarium water.
Moneywort in an aquarium requires substrate for its rapid development. These nutrients must be supplied to the very center of this aquatic plant. You can try a fine gravel substrate if you can prevent the plant from floating, fertilizers, and tweezers to keep the roots in the gravel. On the other hand, the only kind of pebbles that are ever acceptable are the light ones that can support the plant’s weight without preventing it from taking in water and nutrients.
Fertilizer Requirements
Like all aquarium plants, Moneywort prefers additional Carbon Dioxide CO2 to thrive and demonstrate enhanced development. However, it is not essential to the species’ development. Moneywort will grow somewhat more leisurely but will still tend to break up until it covers the top of the tank.
On the other hand, a substrate rich in nutrients is of paramount importance. When exposed to bright indirect light, moneywort will flourish and maintain a vibrant lime green hue. If you’re building a planted aquascape, you should select a substrate engineered to absorb and retain nutrients.
For instance, take Seachem Flourite. You can supplement it with one of the many excellent liquid fertilizers available in the market. With its high Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), Fluorite will store the liquid nutrients until they are absorbed by the roots.
Use of Moneywort in Water Gardens
In most cases, moneywort is a supporting or background plant because of its stature. It makes a great starter plant for an aquascape due to its resilience and rapid growth. When it reaches the surface, it will either expand laterally or push through it, shading out other aquarium plants.
Use sharp, clean scissors to cut the stem one inch below where the roots show. Press the cuttings into the aquarium substrate and weigh them down if necessary to prevent them from drifting away. The roots will eventually grow in a downward position and secure the cutting.
Most Frequent Issues
Lighting is going to be the main challenge with moneywort. Low light levels always result in the stem rotting or melting. Moneywort has few drawbacks outside its sensitivity to light:
1. Slow Development
There is no issue with the slow growth per se; the plant is just slow-growing. The issue here is a lack of patience. An unanchored plant won’t grow as well. Therefore, you must make an effort to see greater results. If your lighting and feeding setup are adequate, then all you can do is wait.
In some instances, some of these plants fail to thrive while their neighbors grow rapidly. Whatever the case may be – stronger anchoring or a strong root system – your worries are unfounded. If you have had this plant for over a year and there is no visible development, you must replant or re-anchor it.
2. Melting
As most aquatic plants are produced on land, they are particularly susceptible to melting. New aquatic growth will sprout quickly and thrive if you remove the dying plant components before they begin to decompose.
3. Algae
Common problems associated with algae include its ability to smother plant life. If there wasn’t too much light or nutrients in the water, algae wouldn’t be able to take hold; hence, their presence is a warning sign of an unbalanced ecology.
The Upkeep of the Moneywort
- You must give your plant a dose of liquid fertilizers weekly or more often if instructed.
- Depending on your setup and final aesthetic goals, you may need more than 8 hours of continuous lighting.
- You must trim it every other week to maintain its compact shape. Remember that it will need trimming, regardless of how you plant it.
- If you want to keep your stem plant alive, you’ll need a nice set of aquarium shears to avoid damaging the stems and causing the plant to die.
- Light and carbon dioxide supplementation are probably required if you want your planted moneywort to remain short and bushy.
For Denser Growth
If you prefer a dense, jungle-like atmosphere, follow the route of less light and less Carbon Dioxide. The stem of a moneywort plant is strong enough to support the plant even if it grows to extreme heights.
For Thicker Growth
Floating moneywort requires care. You must increase lighting and carbon dioxide dose to achieve a thicker look. Trim the plant frequently until it gets a mat appearance.
Moneywort Propagation
Spreading moneywort is simple, and it’s even less of a hassle if it floats. If you leave your plant floating, it will continue to grow roots. You can successfully plant miniature stem cuttings with their associated roots in the growing medium. You can also just let those scraps float around.
If you want more moneywort but aren’t producing any new shoots or runners, you must try planting the trimmings or clippings you collected in the substrate. There are other options, such as floating your cuttings in water to encourage root growth. However, this method is generally satisfactory for a tank or a cup. You can replant them in the substrate once their roots have developed.
Final Thoughts
Moneywort is a lovely aquarium plant; you won’t regret buying it even if it costs you a fortune. And you know what the best part is? You won’t need to stand on your head to ensure it’s getting the best care possible; it’s easy to grow, propagate, and maintain!
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