Lagarosiphon verticillifolius (Lagarosiphon verticilifolius) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Lagarosiphon verticillifolius (usual spelling)
Family
Hydrocharitaceae (frogbit family)
Origin
South-eastern Africa: Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Eswatini and north-eastern South Africa
Water
freshwater
Temperature
18–27°C
pH
6.5–8
Hardness
5–20 dGH
Care level
intermediate
Lighting
Medium to high light; CO2 helpful

Care

Lagarosiphon verticillifolius is an African member of the genus Lagarosiphon, a group of branched, fully submerged herbs densely covered in narrow leaves, closely related to Elodea and Egeria. Plants are either male or female. The usual spelling of its name is Lagarosiphon verticillifolius. It comes from Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Eswatini and north-eastern South Africa. Little is recorded about its aquarium use. Treat it like other oxygen weeds: plant bunches of cuttings in the midground or background in good light, or let stems float. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. Its relative Lagarosiphon major is a serious invasive weed in Europe and New Zealand. Never release this plant or dispose of it in drains or waterways; it is invasive in some countries. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagarosiphon); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Take stem cuttings and push them into the substrate, or let them float until they root. Side shoots form readily on healthy stems.

Compatibility and tank mates

Goldfish, large cichlids, silver dollars and other plant-eating fish will graze soft stems, and diggers can uproot new cuttings. Most small community fish, shrimp and snails leave it alone, and shrimp and fry use the foliage for cover.

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

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