Glossostigma Elatinoides

Glossostigma elatinoides is a tiny creeping plant from New Zealand and Australia, with paired spoon-shaped leaves on short stalks running along the substrate. It is one of the smallest carpeting plants in the hobby and, when it works, gives the tight bright-green lawn that show aquascapes are known for. It is also one of the least forgiving plants we stock.

Aquarium care

• High light and CO2 injection are effectively requirements. Without both it grows upward and leggy instead of carpeting, and then thins out.
• Plant in very small portions, a few leaves at a time, spaced across the substrate.
• A fine substrate makes planting those tiny portions realistic.
• The light has to reach the substrate, so keep taller plants and floating cover away from it.
• Trim and thin the carpet as it layers, or the lower growth rots and the mat lifts off.
• Sensitive to unstable conditions in a newly set up tank.

Suitable for experienced planted-tank keepers running a high-tech setup, with small fish and shrimp that will not disturb the substrate. If you are not dosing CO2, a different foreground plant will serve you better.

Stock rotates, and plants are for local pickup at our Lethbridge store. See the live plants collection.