Plants

Blyxa japonica

IntermediateFreshwater

Origin: Blyxa japonica is found in Southeast and East Asia — Japan, China, India, and neighbouring areas. It grows in rice fields, ditches, and slow streams with soft, acidic water.

Also known as: Japanese blyxa, Blyxa japonica

Fact sheet

Height: 15 cm
Temperature: 22–28 °C
pH: 5.5–7
Lighting: High
CO₂: Recommended
Growth rate: Medium
Placement: Midground

Overview

Blyxa japonica is a popular aquascaping plant forming compact rosettes of narrow grass-like leaves that resemble tufts of grass. Under strong light and CO2 the leaves take on a bronze-reddish tone, and the rosettes form picturesque clumps for the midground. It is considered moderately demanding: it needs nutrient-rich substrate, iron, and CO2. It propagates easily by side shoots to form a group. It is excellent for Amano-style nature aquariums.

Appearance

A short stem bears a dense rosette of narrow, slightly curved leaves 5–10 cm long and a few millimetres wide. Colour ranges from light green to bronze-reddish under bright light. Rosette height is 10–15 cm. The plant develops a well-formed root system.

Care

It needs medium to strong light, 22–28 °C, pH 5.5–7.0, and soft water. CO2 dosing and iron-rich nutrient substrate markedly improve growth and colour. Under low light and nutrition the rosettes shrink and pale.

Fertilizing

It feeds through both roots and leaves. Nutrient-rich substrate, iron, and micronutrients matter; CO2 speeds growth. It responds well to regular dosing.

Breeding

It propagates by side shoots: daughter rosettes branch from the mother and are separated and replanted. This forms a dense stand.

Fun facts

Blyxa japonica is one of Takashi Amano's favourite plants, often seen in his nature aquariums. The bronze-red tone is a sign of sufficient light and iron. Despite its grassy look it is a flowering plant, not a grass.