{"product_id":"glossostigma-elatinoides-portion-cup-freshwater-carpet-plant","title":"Glossostigma Elatinoides - Portion Cup","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E8F5E9;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGlossostigma Elatinoides\u003c\/strong\u003e is the carpeting plant that built the modern aquascape, and it remains one of the finest looking and least forgiving. Tiny paired round leaves on creeping runners form a bright green lawn barely half an inch tall when it is happy. The word \"happy\" is doing real work in that sentence: glosso wants strong light and CO2, and without both it abandons the carpet and grows straight up instead. Get the conditions right and nothing else looks quite like it. See the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-aquarium-plants\"\u003elive freshwater plants\u003c\/a\u003e for gentler options.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHigh light is not optional.\u003c\/strong\u003e This is the whole game. Under insufficient light glosso turns vertical, stretching upward with bare stems and spaced leaves instead of creeping sideways. If yours starts climbing, the light is too weak or something is shading it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCO2 is strongly recommended.\u003c\/strong\u003e Pressurized injection is the reliable path. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-flourish-excel\"\u003eSeachem Flourish Excel\u003c\/a\u003e can carry a low tech attempt, but be realistic: without carbon supplementation glosso rarely carpets properly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSubstrate and fertilizer:\u003c\/strong\u003e a rich planted substrate like \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/caribsea-eco-complete-planted-aquarium-black\"\u003eCaribSea Eco-Complete\u003c\/a\u003e, plus regular water column dosing with \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-flourish-comprehensive-supplement\"\u003eSeachem Flourish\u003c\/a\u003e. A hungry carpet is a thin carpet.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting technique matters.\u003c\/strong\u003e Separate the portion into very small clumps of two or three plantlets and push each one into the substrate about an inch apart. Planting it as one lump gives you one lump; spacing it out is what produces an even lawn.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e 68 to 78°F, pH 6.0 to 7.5. It prefers the cooler half of the tropical range.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTrim it.\u003c\/strong\u003e Once established, glosso grows in layers and the lower ones die back if you let it get thick. Mow the carpet with scissors every few weeks and remove the clippings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYour portion cup is tissue-cultured or emersed stock.\u003c\/strong\u003e Rinse any gel or rockwool off the roots before planting, and expect a transition period as the submersed leaves come in.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:640px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eGlossostigma elatinoides\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eGlosso, Glossostigma\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eCarpeting plant\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExperience level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eAdvanced\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLight requirement\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eHigh\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCO2\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eStrongly recommended\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlacement\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eForeground\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature height\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e0.5 to 2 in\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth rate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eFast under the right conditions\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater temperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e68 to 78°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e6.0 to 7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePropagation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eSpreads by runners, separate and replant\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eNew Zealand and Australia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSold as\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003ePortion cup, splits into many plantlets\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eIn-store pickup only\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding-left:8px;\"\u003ePlacement and Companions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere it goes:\u003c\/strong\u003e foreground only, in the brightest open part of the tank. Never plant it where hardscape or a tall plant will shade it later, because shade is the one thing that reliably ruins it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCarpet alternatives if this is too demanding.\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/monte-carlo-micranthemum-tweediei-potted\"\u003eMonte Carlo\u003c\/a\u003e gives a very similar look with far more tolerance for moderate light and no CO2, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/dwarf-baby-tears-hemianthus-callitrichoides-cuba-freshwater-carpet-plant\"\u003eDwarf Baby Tears\u003c\/a\u003e is finer but similarly demanding. If you are not running high light, buy the Monte Carlo instead. We would rather sell you the plant that lives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTexture partners:\u003c\/strong\u003e behind the carpet, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/staurogyne-porto-velho-potted\"\u003eStaurogyne 'Porto Velho'\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/dwarf-hairgrass-eleocharis-parvula-freshwater-carpet-plant\"\u003eDwarf Hairgrass\u003c\/a\u003e step the height up gradually without blocking light.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFish and invertebrates:\u003c\/strong\u003e safe with community fish and shrimp. Avoid substrate-digging cichlids and large goldfish, which will uproot a fresh carpet before it anchors. Corydoras and small loaches are fine once it has rooted in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/caribsea-eco-complete-planted-aquarium-black\"\u003eCaribSea Eco-Complete\u003c\/a\u003e: the nutrient-rich substrate a carpet needs to root into.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-flourish-excel\"\u003eSeachem Flourish Excel\u003c\/a\u003e: liquid carbon, the minimum carbon source if you are not injecting CO2.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-flourish-comprehensive-supplement\"\u003eSeachem Flourish\u003c\/a\u003e: comprehensive water column fertilizer for daily demand.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-flourish-tabs\"\u003eSeachem Flourish Tabs\u003c\/a\u003e: root tabs to enrich plain gravel under the carpet.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/monte-carlo-micranthemum-tweediei-potted\"\u003eMonte Carlo\u003c\/a\u003e: the forgiving substitute, if your tank is not high light.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy is my glosso growing straight up instead of sideways?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nNot enough light reaching the substrate. That vertical stretch is the plant hunting for light, and it is the single most common failure. More light, or less shading from plants and hardscape above it, is the only fix.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I grow it without CO2?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nSome people manage it under very strong light with liquid carbon and disciplined dosing, but it is genuinely difficult and the carpet stays thin. If you have no CO2, Monte Carlo gives you close to the same look with a fraction of the trouble.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow should I plant the portion cup?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nSplit it into small clumps of two or three plantlets and plant each one about an inch apart across the area you want covered. Tweezers help. Spacing is what turns one cup into a lawn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow fast does it carpet?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nUnder high light and CO2, a few weeks. Under anything less, it may never close up properly. Glosso is fast when conditions are right and stalled when they are not, with very little middle ground.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49222426853595,"sku":"MIGLOSP","price":7.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/GLOSSOSTIGMA.jpg?v=1788512191","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/glossostigma-elatinoides-portion-cup-freshwater-carpet-plant","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}