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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I plant bunched stem plants?Remove any band, weight or sponge from the base and strip the leaves from the bottom few centimetres. Then plant the stems individually or in small groups a few centimetres apart in the substrate, rather than as one dense clump, so each stem has room to root and grow.
Do stem plants need CO2?Not always, but they generally need more light and nutrients than Anubias or Java Fern to grow well and hold tight internodes rather than getting leggy. Green species like Water Wisteria, Bacopa and Cabomba can grow under moderate light without CO2; red species like Rotala and Ludwigia need brighter light to colour up well.
Why did my stem plants melt after planting?Leaves that grew out of water (emersed) often die back in the first week or two as the plant switches to underwater growth. This is normal, not a sign of failure: trim off the melted leaves and new growth will come from the healthy tips.
How do I keep stem plants bushy instead of tall and leggy?Regular trimming — topping the stem and replanting the cutting — encourages side-shoot branching and a fuller look over time.