Cyanotis axillaris (Cyanotis axillaris) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Tradescantia axillaris, Commelina axillaris, Amischophacelus axillaris
Family
Commelinaceae (spiderwort family)
Origin
Indian subcontinent, southern China, South-East Asia and northern Australia
Water
freshwater
Temperature
20–28°C
Care level
expert
Lighting
Bright light; grown emersed

Care

Warning: this is essentially a land plant, at most a plant of damp ground, and it slowly dies when kept fully underwater. It is best grown emersed in a paludarium, at the waterline, or with only its roots in water. Cyanotis axillaris is a perennial herb of the spiderwort family, related to Tradescantia, from monsoon forest, woodland and wooded grassland across tropical Asia and northern Australia. It is used as a medicinal plant in India. Our sources say nothing about aquarium use. Temperature is our estimate, not from the sources. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyanotisaxillaris); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Like other spiderworts, stem cuttings root easily in damp soil or water; our sources give no details.

Compatibility and tank mates

Do not sell or buy it as a true aquarium plant. Suitable only for paludaria or the emersed edge of a tank.

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

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