Ammannia crassicaulis (Ammannia crassicaulis) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Nesaea crassicaulis
Family
Lythraceae (loosestrife family)
Origin
Africa
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
50 cm
Temperature
22–28°C
pH
6–7
Hardness
Soft: 2–10 dGH (estimate)
Care level
intermediate
Lighting
Medium to high light; medium CO2 (about 6–14 mg/L) recommended

Care

Ammannia crassicaulis (family Lythraceae) is an African stem plant, sold until recently as Nesaea crassicaulis. Tropica rates it medium difficulty with a medium growth rate, reaching 30–50 cm tall and 8–15 cm wide. Use it as a group in the midground or background. The leaves are reddish brown to cognac with yellow-green stems. Tropica lists medium light in its table but describes the plant as light-hungry, so plan for strong lighting, and medium CO2. Keep the lower part of the stems well lit or the bottom leaves drop. It grows best in soft, slightly acidic water (Tropica). Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. Sources: Tropica (tropica.com/en/plants); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Easy from cuttings or side shoots planted in the substrate (Tropica).

Compatibility and tank mates

Soft stems are eaten by goldfish, large cichlids and herbivorous fish. Good with shrimp, snails and small community fish in tropical tanks.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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