Proserpinaca palustris ‘Cuba’

Proserpinaca palustris, or mermaid weed, is quite easy in culture, however, it needs some time to develop from its emersed green to its submersed orange-red form. Medium to strong light (0.5 watts per litre or more) is necessary for healthy growth and beautiful colours.

It is also recommendable to add CO2 to the water to bring this plant to its full potential. A low level of NO3 (5-10 mg/l) and a high level of PO4 (1.5-2 mg/l) is beneficial to robust, compact development and a deep orange-red colour. Higher nitrate values induce the plant to assume light orange to green hues. A constant iron supply should be safeguarded to prevent the colours from fading.

P. palustris is not a fast grower and does not form many lateral shoots. When cutting back, consider re-planting the upper part of the shoot instead of the old plant. However, for propagation, the old part can be left in the aquarium, though. New lateral shoots will form on it, which may be cut off and re-planted, too.

This red-orange-coloured plant is an excellent choice for smaller aquaria. It neither grow very high nor very fast and it is an optimal eyecatcher in the middleground or the foreground, where it draws looks with its colour and its finely structured leaves.

*Pictures are not the actual plants you will receive, but a sample representation.