Plants
Ammannia gracilis
Ammannia gracilis
Origin: Ammannia gracilis comes from West Africa, where it grows in marshy areas and along water margins. In the hobby it is used as a striking large background plant.
Also known as: Delicate ammannia, Ammannia gracilis
Fact sheet
- Height
- 50 cm
- Temperature
- 23–28 °C
- pH
- 5.5–7
- Lighting
- High
- CO₂
- Recommended
- Growth rate
- Medium
- Placement
- Background
Overview
Ammannia gracilis is a large stem plant with narrow wavy leaves that take on olive-red and pink-orange tones under strong light. It is one of the most decorative background plants for tall aquariums. It needs bright light, CO2 dosing, and rich nutrition — only then does it show its deep colour and upright habit. Under low light it stretches and pales. It looks best planted in a group toward the back of a layout.
Appearance
Tall straight stems bear opposite narrow lanceolate leaves 6–12 cm long, often with wavy edges. The upper side is olive-green, the underside pink-red; the tips redden under bright light. Height is 40–50 cm or more. Internodes lengthen under weak light.
Care
It needs strong light, 23–28 °C, pH 5.5–7.0, and soft to medium-hard water. CO2 dosing and regular fertilisation (iron, micro- and macronutrients) are essential for colour and compact growth. It grows moderately fast and needs trimming.
Fertilizing
It feeds actively through roots and leaves. Iron and micronutrients govern colour, macronutrients and CO2 drive growth. Nutrient-rich substrate and regular liquid fertilising are recommended.
Breeding
It propagates by top cuttings; the remaining stem produces side shoots. For a dense group the tops are replanted side by side.
Fun facts
The intensity of the pink-red colour in Ammannia gracilis is a gauge of sufficient light and iron. Grown emersed, the leaves become wider and greener. It is one of the classic 'aquascaping' background plants.