Allways a good experience , fast delivery , really well packed .
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Cardamine lyrata
Fast-growing Japanese marsh plant, trails along substrate, leaf size varies with temperature
- Regular price
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£7.99 - Regular price
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- Sale price
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£7.99
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Quick Facts
Rating:
Common name: Japanese Cress / Water Cress
Origin: Asia
Position in Aquarium: Midground
Grows up to (cm): 40 cm
Pot Size: 5 cm
Growth rate: Fast
Description
Cardamine lyrata is a Japanese marsh plant that adapts readily to fully submerged aquarium life, growing quickly once established. Its rapid nutrient uptake makes it a popular choice during tank start-up when controlling nutrient levels is particularly important, and it remains useful throughout a tank's life as an undemanding and attractive stem plant.
The round leaves grow on trailing stems that spread along the substrate rather than growing straight upward, creating a loose, naturalistic ground-level spread. One distinctive characteristic: leaf size responds to water temperature — in cooler water the leaves grow noticeably larger, while in warmer water they become smaller and more delicate. The plant is healthy in both cases; it's simply a temperature response.
Maintain by trimming stems and replanting the cuttings in the substrate. No CO2 required, though moderate lighting supports better growth and spread.
Plant Sizes
You’ll receive a healthy, rooted plant in a pot, similar to those shown. Each one is hand-checked before dispatch.
Shipping
Same-day dispatch on orders placed before 4pm, Monday to Friday. Tracked 24 Service from £4.99, DPD Express from £6.99.



Cardamine lyrata
- Regular price
-
£7.99 - Regular price
-
- Sale price
-
£7.99
This aquarium plant arrives in excellent condition with healthy stems and roots. Customers said it's "a fast grower" that thrives in coldwater and low-tech setups. The delicate, attractive foliage adds soft contrast to tanks. However, goldfish quickly consume it, making it "an expensive snack." Some initial melting may occur, but new growth establishes well with moderate lighting.
- It has almost doubled in height, I have fallen in love with this plant!
- Growing very nicely in my low-tech tank with no fertilizer or CO2
- Arrived quickly and in excellent condition. A very pretty plant growing well
- 5 stars: 24 (80%)
- 4 stars: 3 (10%)
- 3 stars: 2 (7%)
- 2 stars: 1 (3%)
- 1 star: 0 (0%)
The Cardamine lyrata arrived in great condition and has settled beautifully into my aquarium. Thriving with good light and some liquid carbon in a coldwater setup.
I ordered 2 of these and both arrived in good shape! They add a really soft and delicate contrast to the other plants in my aquarium. Only problem is that my goldfish eat them in 2 days so it makes an expensive snack along with most other plants I put in there.
Really liked this one good addition once agian
No where else to go fr plants my fish love to eat and fish need greens or apparently its frozen peas so they can poo, just like us! Aqua, plants are large, healthy and look good, in my case not for long as fish love em. I've looked online and no where has the quality and cheap price fr such healthy plants and large choice. Do Yr eyes and your fishes bowels a favour, check out this seller please
Arrived very quickly. Healthy, beautiful plant. Superb addition to any tank.
Arrived quickly and in excellent condition. Was extremely well packaged. A very pretty plant. Is growing well. Would definitely buy from Aqua Essentials in the future and wouldn't hesitate to recommend to others.
I am a completey beginner with aquarium plants, and have set up my first planted tank. Japanese cress was a perfect choice for me because I wanted something that grew really fast - they're not joking! It has almost doubled in height and I even had to move it further away from my filter to avoid having it grow too close. I have fallen in love with this plant! There was some "melting" of the leaves but they were soon replaced by new ones
Plants arrived in very good condition and quickly established....definitely a fast grower
Very pleased
Great plant, good looking, lasted one day before the goldfish had eaten both plants. Looked nice for a short while though.
Lovely plant, doing well so far
Very pretty plant, which is very happy in the aquarium. Ive received a nice big plant.
This is growing very nicely in my low-tech tank (no fertilizer or CO2, moderate LED lighting). As it grew taller we've cut off the top bits and replanted them so now covers quite a decent area.
Very well packed and healthy fresh plants. Great for goldfish. Highly recommend and will be buying more.
Jury still out on this one, awaiting results in a few weeks
Was in excellent condition on arrival and hasn't disappointed after planting, doing very well, no melting.
Arrived looking great, got a good bunch of stems. It initially didn't seem to be taking well and some of the stems died off, but half survived and now (two weeks in) they are putting out roots and shoots nicely.
Product arrived well packaged and of a decent size, planted and waiting to see how well it grows on.
Well grown look stunning
My tank is 22L lit by Chihrios A LED. I have planted Japanese cress to have a lowish plant in the center ground. It is more spindly than I expected and grows quickly to the surface. I am not sure that it will make the ground cover but I am cutting and planting the tops. The light coloured leaves are very attractive.
Didn't look very healthy when arrived , hopefully it will come back strong
Taking a while to get going but a very attractive plant
Plant arrived promptly and in lovely condition.
Lovely plant. Very delicate so requires great care when planting so not to damage.
Excellent condition on arrival growing nicely
Great plant as usual, I now buy all my plants from Aqua
big nice plant!
Very pretty delicate little plant.
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE.
I've got some serious plant love going on for this one --- lovely sturdy, well grown plant that's now well established after a few weeks in my Fancy Goldfish planter. Wouldn't recommend it for single tailed Gold Fish but it definitely adds great vibrancy and an alternative for a carpet which we all know it's excessively impossible for those monsters!|Back to the plant, it's growing well, new shoots coming off - one pot has a huge amount that covers both pipe work and filter systems (I had two which was more than enough).
Nice little plant, a bit spindly, my goldfish ate it within an hour!
I bought this as a fast-grower for start-up of a planted tank. It was in great condition, plenty of roots which is always a bonus with a stem plant. It's been in my tank a few weeks now good, I dose EI and inject CO2, thus it has already been ruthlessly pruned and pricked out, the condition of the plant on arrival and substantial roots helping it establish itself quickly. Definitely recommend this, especially for a cooler temperature tank.
Is this plant shrimp safe ?
Yes it is :)
Product FAQs
Helpful details before you buy.
Is Cardamine lyrata easy to grow?
Yes, it is one of the easier aquarium plants to grow. It adapts well to life underwater and grows quickly, making it popular for new tank setups.
How fast does Cardamine lyrata grow?
It is a fast grower, making it useful during tank startup when rapid nutrient uptake is important. Regular trimming and replanting will keep it looking its best.
How do I maintain Cardamine lyrata?
Simply trim stems and replant the cuttings into the substrate. It will trail along the bottom naturally and can be shaped easily with regular maintenance.
Does Cardamine lyrata leaf size change?
Yes, leaf size varies with water temperature. In cooler water the leaves grow larger, while in warmer water they become noticeably smaller and more delicate.
Where does Cardamine lyrata originate from?
It originates from the marshlands of Japan but adapts very well to fully submerged aquarium life, growing quickly once established underwater.

