Plant growth & algae
Read the article about improving growth and managing algae.
Read the growth guidePhoto: Aakash Sarin · Photo source
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Plant articles
Explore aquatic plant growing, plant identification and algae articles from Aquarium World.
Cryptocorynes
Explore the existing guide to growing Cryptocoryne plants.
Read the Cryptocoryne guideIllustrative aquarium photo: Aakash Sarin · Photo source
Banned plants
Browse the historical plant article and its identification pictures.
Read the plant article
Algae treatment article
Read the full treatment instructions and warnings before considering any treatment.
Read the full algae articleFull article catalogue
Browse the full article catalogue below, or explore the aquatic plant database.Banned Plants
Oxygen Weed, lagarsiphon
THIS IS A NATIONWIDE BANNED PEST PLANT. ITS ILLEGAL TO POSSES OR COLLECT IT.
- Common name: Largarsiphon Major
- Origin:
- Temperature: 7 – 22 °C
- pH range: 6.5 – 7.2
- Hardness:
- Height: 200mm
- Difficulty:
- Status: Not Allowed
- Notes: Lagarosiphon major Leaves are recurved backwards or downwards, and are arranged spirally around the stem ( Elodea, Egeria, And Hydrilla have leaves in whorls at distinct nodes) Leaves have minute marginal serrations and are approx 16mm long x 2 mm wide (Clayton and Coffey)
- Propagation: Vegetative reproduction from fragments. It is a Class B noxious plant and is illegal to cultivate in NZ
Parrots feather
THIS IS A NATIONWIDE BANNED PEST PLANT. ITS ILLEGAL TO POSSES OR COLLECT IT.
IF YOU FIND THIS PLANT PLEASE NOTE ITS EXACT LOCATION AND REPORT IT TO DOC.
- Myriophyllum aquaticum
- Origin: South USA to South America
- Temperature: 16 – 23 °C
- pH range: 6.8 – 8.0
- Hardness: 50 – 200ppm
- Light: Strong
- Difficulty: Demanding
- Status: Banned
- Notes: Needs good light and slightly alkaline. Is fast becoming a pest in NZ as it infests farm dams and drinking troughs.
- Propagation: Banned – Illegal to propagate
Twisted Eel Grass
THIS IS A NATIONWIDE BANNED PEST PLANT. ITS ILLEGAL TO POSSES OR COLLECT IT.
Vallisneria spiralis
- Origin: Europe – Southern USA
- Temperature: 15 – 24 °C
- pH range: 6.5 – 7.0
- Hardness: 50 – 150ppm
- Light: Strong
- Height: 200 – 1200mm
- Difficulty: Easy
- Status: Banned
- Notes: Leaves 120cm long 5 – 12mm wide. This species grows in any normal aquarium conditions & is the most common of all aquarium plants. It is not exacting to the composition of planting medium or water. If given generous light it propagates quickly & soon fills the aquarium
- Propagation: Banned – Illegal to propagate
Hornwort
THIS IS A NATIONWIDE BANNED PEST PLANT. ITS ILLEGAL TO POSSES OR COLLECT IT.
IF YOU FIND THIS PLANT PLEASE NOTE ITS EXACT LOCATION AND REPORT IT TO DOC.
Ceratophyllum demersum
- Origin: Worldwide
- Temperature: 5 – 20 °C
- pH range: 6.0 -9.0
- Hardness: 30 – 300ppm
- Light: Low – Very High
- Height: 50 – 2000mm+
- Difficulty: Easy
- Status: Banned
- Notes: A submersed plant of 1 – 2 metres in length. Has long rope-like brittle fronds. Very popular with coldwater enthusiasts. Grows lank and sparse in tropical tanks.Common in the Waikato river
- Propagation: Banned – Illegal to propagate