Stargrass, Heteranthera zosterifolia

Heteranthera zosterifolia (Stargrass) is unfortunately a quite rare aquarium plant with a bright green colour with narrow lanceolate leafs. It has gotten it from the fact that that the top of the plant look likes a star. The plant can get small blue flowers if given enough light.

Heteranthera zosterifolia (Stargrass) has its origin in South America and can be found in Northern Argentina, Southern Brazil, Paraguay, and Bolivia. It breaks easily and should not be kept with robust, digging or plant eating fishes.

Heteranthera zosterifolia (Stargrass) prefers a tropical aquarium with a lot of light and a pH level of 6.0-7.5. the plant is however quite hardy and will grow in less then optimal conditions as long as its given enough light. Stargrass prefers soft water. You can propagate your stargrass with the help of cuttings.

Heteranthera zosterifolia (Stargrass) will grow faster in an aquarium with more light and changes colour depending on the amount of light available. They become more light green in stronger lights. The amount of light needed is dependent on how deep your aquarium is. A deeper aquarium requires more light. Adding CO2 to the water will increase its growt ratio.

Stargrass tolerates very hard cuttings and is therefore suitable for almost all positions in the aquarium. Yu can simple shape it by cutting it into the shape and height you want it to have on that place in the aquarium. Stargrass can even be used as a foreground plant and be kept at a height of only one inch. If the Heteranthera zosterifolia (Stargrass) is kept short and cut often it will develop a lot of side branches and hereby creating a very dense carpet. You will have to trim your stargrass every 2-3 weeks if you want to keep it as a foregrounds plant. If stargrass is not trimmed it will son start to cover the surface of your aquarium and dim the lighting beneath the surface casing the stems that are not on the surface to become bare. If this happens you have to use cutting to rejuvenate your stargrass population.

The fact that Stargrass is so fast growing makes it the ideal plant for covering the bottom of your aquarium. And is really quite easy to keep as long as it is provided with plenty of light.

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