Malaysian false pimpernel (Lindernia crustacea) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Malaysian false pimpernel, Brittle false pimpernel, Torenia crustacea, Vandellia crustacea
Family
Linderniaceae (false pimpernel family)
Origin
Tropical and temperate Asia; widely naturalised in the tropics and subtropics
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
20 cm
Temperature
20–28°C
pH
6–7.5
Hardness
2–15 dGH
Care level
intermediate
Lighting
Medium to high light; CO2 helpful

Care

Malaysian false pimpernel is a small annual or short-lived perennial, 5–20 cm tall, with branching, often purplish stems that root at the nodes. It grows in wet ditches, rice paddies, riverbeds and wet pastures from sea level to about 1,500 m. It is used in traditional medicine across Asia and is a minor weed of rice. Lindernia (false pimpernels) are small herbs of wet places in warm regions of both hemispheres. The genus has been split by botanists in recent years, and some species have been moved to Bonnaya, Torenia, Vandellia and other genera. Our sources say nothing about growing it underwater. It is mainly a plant of damp ground, so it may grow submerged only for a while; it is safest grown emersed or at the waterline. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linderniacrustacea); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lindernia); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Take stem cuttings, which root easily at the nodes. As a short-lived plant it also self-seeds on damp soil.

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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