Help: Plants that stay bushy and low ?

[heavenlyevil]

Are there any plants for low tech (around mid light, no CO2) that stay bushy and low (not more than 4 inches) for mid ground ?

Thanks you

[rusty1760]

You might try Blyxa Japonica, it should do OK if your lighting is not too low and if your substrate is decent ( otherwise use root tabs or osmacote tabs ) I have some growing in a muddied tank with low light and it does OK but the growth is extremely slow. The nice thing about Blyxa is that it is not invasive and grows nice and bushy probably 4 inch max. PM me if you want any.

[Kathyy]

What about a smaller Crypt?

[discuspaul]

Consider Lotuses - Red or Tiger (Nymphaea). They can easily be 'trained' to stay low & bushy, and do well in low-tech - no CO2.

[ThatGuyWithTheFish]

If you trim staurogyne repens often, or get staurogyne "low grow", that will form a nice bush.

[freph]

Stauro is great for that purpose. I find blyxa is as well. I've got a couple of Erios in my 20L that are quite bushy as well....not sure of the sp though.

[somewhatshocked]

Both Hydrocotyle tripartita and Bacopa australis meet those requirements. Though, both will require trimming and training.

Originally Posted by heavenlyevil

Are there any plants for low tech (around mid light, no CO2) that stay bushy and low (not more than 4 inches) for mid ground ?

Thanks you

[TwoTacoCombo]

I second the hydrocotyle tripartita. That stuff grows like a weed, even with decent frogbit cover and no co2. It'll try to grow up and out, but just start tucking a bit of it under the substrate and it'll start growing laterally. Dwarf sag is also a good bet. Mine has been staying around 4-5 inches, with the occasional leaf growing longer. As the leaves get longer, they tend to start leaning sideways instead of just growing straight up, so it'll fill in nicely.

[talontsiawd]

I have grown Blyxa Japonica great with no CO2. HM is decent choice, just trim it into a bush. It is very "shapable" so you can make a nice bush with it. It does fine without CO2 but I haven't had as much luck with other plants. Tiger lotus is the same, it requires trimming, or training more so, but can stay compact, and it's easier to keep it compact without CO2.

Or you can choose any stems that you like and trim them into a small bush. I know HM is a stem as well but it's a bit more easily trimmed into a bush. Various Rotala species would work, sunset hygro if the leave size doesn't bother you, among others.

[SaltyNC]

Originally Posted by talontsiawd

HM is decent choice, just trim it into a bush. It is very "shapable" so you can make a nice bush with it. It does fine without CO2 but I haven't had as much luck with other plants. Tiger lotus is the same, it requires trimming, or training more so, but can stay compact, and it's easier to keep it compact without CO2.

You mention HM is a decent choice. What are the negatives that prevent it from being stellar? I'm also looking for a compact bushy plant and HM is on my very short list of candidates. Thanks!

Salty

[talontsiawd]

Originally Posted by SaltyNC

You mention HM is a decent choice. What are the negatives that prevent it from being stellar? I'm also looking for a compact bushy plant and HM is on my very short list of candidates. Thanks!

Salty

Well, I have had problems in some of my low tech tanks (as a carpet). It's done perfectly fine in others. The only reason I said "decent" is that you will have to trim it.

Their is one negative depending on how big the bush is. Sometimes the lower leaves can suffer. This is true of many plants but it seems to be more prevalent on HM. It really would only bug me if it was very noticeable. Being that you want it about 4 inch and in the midground, any yellow leaves shouldn't be an issue and if it is, you will likely be able to cover it up.

It is one of my favorite plants and I wouldn't hesitate to try it if I were you. I bet it will work out great for you.

[SaltyNC]

Thanks for the details on HM, Matt.