Shoreweed (Littorella uniflora) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Shoreweed, American shoreweed, Littorella lacustris, Plantago uniflora
Family
Plantaginaceae (plantain family)
Origin
Most of Europe (not the dry south-east), Iceland, the Faroes, the Azores and Morocco; Tropica also notes North and South America
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
5 cm
Temperature
4–24°C
pH
5.5–7.5
Hardness
1–10 dGH
Care level
beginner
Lighting
Low to medium light; CO2 not needed

Care

Shoreweed is a small, mostly submerged plant of nutrient-poor lakes and lake shores, native to Britain and much of Europe. It forms rosettes of fleshy, narrow leaves 2–5 cm long and only 1–3 mm wide. Underwater it takes up carbon dioxide mainly through its roots and uses a mix of photosynthesis types, which helps it survive in soft, nutrient-poor water. Tropica rates it easy and slow-growing, with low light and CO2 needs, reaching 3–5 cm. Plant rosettes separately a few centimetres apart in the foreground; they send out runners that join into a carpet. In low light the leaves grow longer. The leaves are brittle, so work carefully around it. It also suits terrariums and garden ponds. As a native of cool northern lakes it is happiest in unheated or coldwater tanks and ponds and may struggle at tropical temperatures over the long run. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. Sources: Tropica (tropica.com/en/plants); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Littorellauniflora); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Spreads by runners that produce new rosettes. Separate and replant rosettes a few centimetres apart.

Compatibility and tank mates

Low carpeting plant: shrimp and small fish are ideal companions. Digging fish (many cichlids, large loaches, goldfish) uproot it before it roots in, and bottom-sifters such as corydoras can disturb young clumps. It is an excellent native foreground plant for coldwater tanks.

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

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