Lindernia rotundifolia - Cup

Lindernia rotundifolia is an easy, fast-growing stem plant covered in small, rounded, paired leaves that give it a soft, bushy look. Bright green and undemanding, it bushes out quickly to fill the midground or frame the base of taller plants, and it pearls beautifully when given a little extra light. It arrives as a clean tissue-culture cup, grown in vitro and free of snails, algae, and pesticides, with plenty of healthy stems to plant across your scape. Browse the rest of our freshwater aquarium plants.

Why Tissue Culture

Tissue-culture plants are propagated in a sterile lab and sold in a sealed cup of nutrient gel. That means no hitchhiking pest snails, no nuisance algae, and no pesticide residue, so it is completely safe for shrimp, fry, and sensitive invertebrates. Rinse the gel off under dechlorinated water, separate the stems, and plant them, and you start with clean, vigorous growth.

Care Guide

• Light: Medium to high. More light keeps growth compact and the leaves tight along the stem.
• CO2: Not required, but injected CO2 produces faster, denser, more vivid growth.
• Substrate: Roots into any nutrient-rich planted substrate. Root tabs help it bush out.
• Planting: Separate the stems and push each into the substrate a couple of inches apart. Trim and replant the tops to thicken the stand.

Specifications

In the Aquascape

Lindernia rotundifolia is a versatile filler. Planted in a group it forms a soft, rounded bush that softens hardscape and bridges the gap between a foreground carpet and taller background stems. Trim it low for a tidy midground mound or let it grow tall for a looser, more natural look. Its fine texture and light green color also make a great contrast against red and dark-leaved plants.

Pairs Well With

• Bacopa Monnieri for a sturdy, upright background behind the Lindernia bush.
• Pogostemon erectus to add a fine, conifer-like texture nearby.
• Rotala Vietnam H'ra for warm reds that pop against this light green.
• Dwarf Baby Tears to carpet the foreground in front of it.

FAQ

Is Lindernia rotundifolia good for beginners?
Yes. It is one of the easier stem plants, growing well in medium light without CO2. It simply grows faster and more compact when conditions are richer.

Do I need CO2 to grow it?
No. It grows without CO2, though injected CO2 gives denser, brighter growth and helps it pearl.

How do I make it bushy?
Trim the tops and replant the cuttings. Each trimmed stem branches, so regular pruning quickly thickens the stand into a full bush.

Is it safe for shrimp and fry?
Yes. Tissue-culture plants are grown without pesticides and arrive free of pests, so they are completely safe for shrimp, fry, and other sensitive invertebrates.