Staurogyne repens - Potted

Staurogyne repens (Staurogyne repens) is a compact, bright-green carpeting plant prized for its bushy, low-growing habit and easy temperament. Originally collected from the Rio Cristalino in Brazil, it spreads across the foreground with sturdy little stems that branch and creep, filling in to form a lush green mat. It is one of the more forgiving carpet plants, making it a great first step into aquascaping.

This plant arrives potted in rock wool, ready to trim and plant. Browse the rest of our live aquarium plants to round out your aquascape.

Care Guide

• Care level: Easy to moderate
• Lighting: Moderate to high; brighter light keeps growth tight and compact
• Placement: Foreground to lower midground carpet
• Growth: Low and bushy; trim the tops regularly to encourage side shoots and a denser carpet
• CO2: Not required, but injected CO2 produces a faster, thicker carpet
• Substrate: Roots best in a nutrient-rich planted substrate; root tabs help a lot
• Propagation: Cut and replant trimmed tops, or split the spreading clump

Specifications

Companion Plants

Staurogyne carpets pair naturally with other foreground and midground aquatics:

• Dwarf Hairgrass for a contrasting grassy texture
• Dwarf Baby Tears for a finer, brighter carpet
• Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Bronze' for midground color behind the carpet

Recommended Supplies

• Seachem Flourish Tabs root tabs to fuel a thick carpet
• Aquarium Co-Op Easy Potassium for steady, healthy growth
• CaribSea PyroFlora Substrate as a planted-tank base
• More live aquarium plants

FAQ

Do I need CO2 to grow Staurogyne repens?
No. It grows without CO2 under moderate to high light, just more slowly and a little taller. Injected CO2 gives you the tightest, fastest-filling carpet.

How do I get it to carpet?
Plant small portions a couple of inches apart, keep the light strong, and trim the tops as they grow. Each trim pushes out new side shoots that knit together into a mat.

Is it good for beginners?
Yes. It is one of the easiest true carpeting plants and tolerates a wide range of conditions, which is why it is so popular for first aquascapes.

Is it safe with shrimp and fish?
Yes. It is non-toxic and shrimp love grazing the dense foliage for biofilm.