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Tropica Heteranthera zosterifolia 1-2-GROW!

Star-whorled fast-growing Heteranthera zosterifolia in Tropica 1-2-GROW tissue culture

Tropica

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£7.99
Regular price
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£7.99
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Quick Facts

Rating:

Common name:

Position in Aquarium: Background

Growth rate: Fast

Grows up to: 50 cm

Pot size: 7 cm

Origin: South America

Description

Heteranthera zosterifolia is a fast-growing and visually striking stem plant from South America producing dense whorls of narrow, star-like leaves in bright green that give it a distinctive, fine-textured and bushy appearance quite unlike most other aquarium stem plants. Its graceful, starfish-like leaf arrangement and vigorous growth make it a popular choice for adding texture and visual interest to background plantings in planted aquariums.

It is an easy plant growing without CO2 under medium light and tolerating a broad range of water conditions. Fast-growing and simple to trim and propagate, it fills background areas quickly. Regular trimming produces compact, bushy regrowth. Cuttings root readily within a few days of replanting.

Supplied as a Tropica 1-2-GROW! tissue culture cup, this plant arrives completely free from snails, pest algae, and pesticide residue. Rinse the gel, separate stems and plant into the substrate. Suits aquariums from 40 litres upward — an easy, distinctive-looking background stem plant that is fully shrimp safe and simple to propagate.

Plant Sizes

The image of the plant you'll be receiving is just an example of what you can expect. Each plant is unique and may vary in size and shape, so it won't be an exact match to the photo. If we provide a size guide, keep in mind that it's just an estimate and that plants can vary in size depending on the time of year.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Tissue cultured plants are supplied young and grown in a sterile environment, so they arrive free from snails, algae and pesticide residue. They may look smaller on arrival, but each cup contains multiple plantlets designed to be divided and planted out, where they establish quickly with minimal melt and grow into place.

Tropica Heteranthera zosterifolia 1-2-GROW!
Tropica Heteranthera zosterifolia 1-2-GROW! - Aqua Essentials
Tropica Heteranthera zosterifolia 1-2-GROW!
Tropica Heteranthera zosterifolia 1-2-GROW!

Product Details

1. Grown in a laboratory

Tissue Cultured Plants are unique in so much as they are grown in a laboratory and not a greenhouse. As a result of this, a cast iron guarantee is offered which is 100% so snails and no pesticides.

2. How to handle them

They're a bit different from potted plants because they're grown in an agae solution that contains nutrients and hormones to encrougage plants to grow. Some agar is liquid, others are more solid depending on what the growers prefers. Regardless once they arrive with you, acclimatise to room temperature and then rinse under luke warm tap water. Then plant up.

3. Pot sizes

Nearly all TC pots are 5cm in diameter and the pots will range in fullness depending on many factors such as the natural growth speed of the plant and the time the grower has held them for. Sometimes the pots are exceptionally full and sometimes not so full - something we cannot control. But either way, they're still really good value when you look at the overall plant mass.

Product FAQs

Helpful details before you buy.

What makes Heteranthera zosterifolia distinctive?

Its leaves form dense star-like whorls around each stem node, creating a bushy, fine-textured appearance that is very different from oval or lance-leaved stem plants. It adds a unique visual texture to backgrounds.

Does it need CO2?

No. It grows without CO2 under medium light and is suitable for low-tech planted aquariums.

Is it easy to keep?

Yes. It is a fast-growing and tolerant plant suitable for hobbyists at all levels, including beginners.

Is it safe for shrimp tanks?

Yes. As a Tropica 1-2-GROW! tissue culture plant it arrives free from snails, algae, and pesticide residue — suitable for shrimp aquariums.

How do I propagate it?

Trim stems and replant cuttings. They root within a few days and grow on with the same distinctive whorled leaf form.