Red fanleaf (Xyris difformis) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Bog yellow-eyed-grass, Bog yelloweyed grass
Family
Xyridaceae (yellow-eyed-grass family)
Origin
Eastern and southern USA, eastern and central Canada, and Central America
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
90 cm
Temperature
10–28°C
pH
4.5–6.5
Hardness
0–4 dGH
Care level
expert
Lighting
High light; CO2 injection recommended if grown submerged

Care

Xyris difformis (bog yellow-eyed grass) is a perennial of wet, acidic ground in eastern North America and Central America. It forms a fan of grass-like leaves up to 50 cm long and sends up stalks up to 90 cm tall with small yellow flowers. There are three varieties with different ranges. It is mainly a bog plant. Our sources say nothing about aquarium use; submerged plants need very soft, acidic water, an acidic substrate and strong light, and it is often easier as an emersed plant in a bog or paludarium. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xyrisdifformis); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Not covered by our sources; clumps can be divided, and emersed plants set seed.

Compatibility and tank mates

For soft-water aquascapes or bog set-ups with small fish and shrimp. It will not tolerate hard water. Diggers will uproot it.

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

About Aquatic-Auctions

  • Aquatic-Auctions (aquatic-auctions.com) is a UK online marketplace for aquarium and pond livestock and equipment: tropical and marine fish, corals, shrimp, snails and other invertebrates, aquatic plants, tanks, filtration, lighting and food.
  • Items are sold by auction, buy it now or classified advert, by hobbyist and business sellers in the UK.
  • Buyers pay sellers directly; Aquatic-Auctions does not hold the money. Hobbyist sellers must offer PayPal and may also take cash on collection. Business sellers take PayPal (required) or cash on collection, and bank transfer only once they have a seller rating of 50 out of 100, a company and pet-selling licence checked by Aquatic-Auctions, a bank account in the company's name, and bank details approved by Aquatic-Auctions.
  • Buyers are told to pay by PayPal Goods & Services, never PayPal Friends and Family, gift cards or crypto.
  • Live fish and other vertebrates must be sent by specialist live-animal couriers (for example APC Overnight or DX Express), never by Royal Mail. Some invertebrates and plants may go by Royal Mail Special Delivery or 1st Class within its rules.
  • Banned and invasive species (for example those on the GB invasive species lists) cannot be listed, and sellers must meet the site’s animal welfare standards.
  • Members must be 16 or over to buy (16 and 17-year-olds with a parent or guardian’s agreement); sellers must be 18 or over.
  • Business sellers show their address, company details and pet-selling licence to buyers. Seller ratings run from 0 to 100: +1 for each positive feedback, −1 for each negative.
  • The site includes a free community species wiki with care guides (water parameters, tank size, diet, temperament, breeding).
  • Aquatic-Auctions is run by Etavonni Tech Limited trading as Aquatic-Auctions (company number 10204188), Aldershot, Hampshire, UK. Contact: info@aquatic-auctions.com.