Most hobbyist who had this plant agree that it does best in water with a low KH and low pH. While this plant shines at KH 0, it does not seem to be as particular about the GH values, ie Mg and Ca. CO2 supplementation is needed for optimal growth. It does not demand very strong light or high amounts of fertilizer; however, both should be targeted for difficult plants. If the conditions are not optimal the plant will start developing transparent spots in older leaves, ultimately leading to the loss of the leaf.

This is a very elegant plant, growing straight towards the surface and providing a light green color. Though not officially recognized, several variants exist in the hobby based on the leaf shape (Lotus Blossom, Narrow leaf). Due to the special requirements, this plant is often seen in aquariums created for Eriocaulon and Syngonanthus sp..

The root system does seem underdeveloped, even for a stem plant. For this reason, dosing the water column becomes even more important.

Crowding the plant may again lead to melting of the older leaves and show a thin white stem. This of course is influenced by the CO2 concentration and water flow present near the plant.

Floating the stems was suggested as a method to help growth and induce development of lateral meristems (side-shoots). This may expose the plant to higher light levels and to better CO2 concentration. If the plant is not floated, lateral meristem formation is slow and rare, leading to the difficulty in propagating this plant. Like many stem plants, cutting the top increases the formation of lateral meristems. New cuts should be about 5cm long to help the new plant grow faster.

Photo 1: Tonina fluviatilis , submersed, top of the plant. Source : Mihai Zamfir (Allwissend), 2017. All rights reserved. Used with permission.