Anacharis plants are popular aquarium plants available at several pet stores. Anacharis is an excellent plant for fish tanks because it can adapt to varying water conditions. It’s also known as the Brazilian Water Weed, Waterweed or Elodea.
| Family: | Hydrocharitaceae |
| Care Level: | Easy |
| Growth Rate: | Moderate – Fast |
| Minimum Aquarium Dimensions: | 10 gallons |
| Water Conditions: | 60-82oF, KH 3-8 pH 6.5-7.5 |
| Propagation: | Cutting |
| Placement: | Background |
| Lighting: | Moderate |
How To Plant Anacharis
Anacharis can grow floating in the tank or anchored to the substrate. If anchored, stick individual stems into the substrate about 2-inches deep. Place each stem about an inch or more apart. Be careful not to plant the stems of the Anacharis too shallow if you don’t want them to float.
For floating anacharis, all you have to do is float the stems in the water. Floating anacharis tend to grow faster than planted anacharis because it is closer to the light.
If you buy the plant and it has a rubber band attached around the stems, remove the rubber band and trim parts that appear damage from the stem.
How To Care For Anacharis Plant
Anacharis plants can survive in a variety of water parameters. So, it’s a really easy plant to grow for beginners. Anacharis care is easy:
- A water temperature between 72 – 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Water parameters: pH in the 6.5 – 7.5 range. Water on the hard side.
- Lighting can be moderate but the plant will die if the light is too low (not bright enough).
Anacharis plant can grow in any size tank but you must consider the growth rate. You have to keep an eye on how much it grows so that it does not overrun the tank.
Growth Rate
Under the right conditions, anacharis grows rather fast. The more light exposure and nutrients the plant gets, the faster it grows. Their stems can grow long and produce shoots of smaller plants.
As a fast grower, anacharis plants can provide cover for aquarium shrimp and fish fry, for example, guppy fry.
It can also be a food source for aquarium snails like the Apple Snail and even for some aquarium fish like goldfish and cichlids.
Propagation & Reproduction
Concerning reproduction, unlike other aquarium plants, ancharis does not have tubers. It does not grow plantlets or shoot or runners. To propagate anacharis, you have to cut the stems and plant or float the cut part so it can grow.
References
- Plant Propagation by Stem Cuttings – https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/plant-propagation-by-stem-cuttings-instructions-for-the-home-gardener
- Q & A: Underwater Plants Reproducing – https://van.physics.illinois.edu/qa/listing.php?id=873
- Brazilian Elodea, Egeria densa, Anacharis, Philotria densa, Giant Elodea, Brazilian waterweed – http://depts.washington.edu/oldenlab/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Egeria-densa_Darrin.pdf
- Waterweeds – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elodea
- Plant Identification – Aqua Plants – https://aquaplant.tamu.edu/plant-identification/
How To Buy Healthy Anacharis Plants
If you buy an anacharis plant, it should have solid green stems and vigorous green leaf blades. The leaves should be flat and growing out of its stem.
The stem should be about 6 – 8 inches in length. There also may be tiny white roots visible. Never buy an anacharis plant that is limp or if the plant has black or darkened leaves.
Video: Anacharis / Elodea | Beginner Guide
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