Staurogyne repens
Staurogyne repens
Also known asStaurogyne · Creeping staurogyne
Water parameters
Light and nutrients
Substrate type: nutrient preferred. Propagation: lateral shoots, stem cuttings.
Substrate compatibility
| Substrate | pH effect | Nutrient load |
|---|---|---|
| Aquasoil (ADA Amazonia) | lowers pH | very high |
| Mineralized clay substrate (Seachem Fluorite) | neutral / inert | moderate |
| Dirted tank (mineralized topsoil) (DIY soil substrate) | slightly acidic | very high |
| Inert sand (Pool filter sand) | neutral / inert | none |
With fish
Origin and habitat
Native to South America (Brazil), found growing along riverbanks and in shallow water in the Amazon basin. The species (Staurogyne repens) is a compact, creeping plant with small (1–3 cm), bright green, oval leaves on short stems. It grows from a central stem that creeps along the substrate surface, producing upright side shoots that form a dense, low-growing bush (3–8 cm tall). The growth habit is reminiscent of a miniature Hygrophila. S. repens was introduced to the aquascaping hobby around 2008-2010 from Brazilian collections and quickly became popular as a foreground to midground plant that's easier to grow than many carpeting species while still producing a low, dense growth form. The compact, creeping growth form and bright green coloring make it visually similar to a miniature Hygrophila bush, providing a foreground that looks natural and organic rather than the manicured-lawn aesthetic of true carpet plants. Available as tissue culture cups from most aquatic plant producers. The species adapts well to a range of conditions, making it one of the more reliable foreground plants for medium-tech tanks.
Care notes
Easy to moderate. Grows under moderate to high light; under low light, the stems stretch upward and the plant loses its compact, creeping form. CO2 is not strictly required but produces noticeably more compact and bushy growth. Plant small portions 2–3 cm apart, pressing the stems into the substrate. The creeping stems root at each node. Rich substrate and root tabs support the vigorous root system. Growth is moderate; the plant fills in over 4-8 weeks under good conditions. Trim the tops to maintain a uniform height of 3–5 cm; trimming promotes side shooting and creates a bushier, denser growth form. The small, bright green leaves create a natural-looking low foreground that's less formal than a true carpet plant. Temperature: 20–28°C. pH 6.0-7.5. Soft to moderately hard water. S. repens is a good middle ground between demanding carpet plants (HC Cuba, dwarf hairgrass) and taller stem plants: it stays low without extreme light and CO2 demands. Available from most aquatic plant retailers as tissue culture.