Acmella repens
Acmella repens (Wall.) R.K.Jansen
π Tropical Asia Β· India Β· Sri Lanka Β· Malaysia
Uncommon COβ Optional Diff.: β
β
β
π Foreground/Waterline
π Medium
Unique semi-aquatic creeping plant. Small oval leaves with yellow button flowers. Grows along the waterline. Decorative as marginal plant that continues underwater. Tolerates full submersion moderately.
βοΈ Water parameters
πͺ¨ Rijke soil
π³π± Dutch Style
Special creeping waterline plant for Dutch style terrace 1.
π‘ Tips
- Grows best along the waterline
- Yellow button flowers decorative above water
- Fully submerged less strong than along waterline
π Problems
β Poor growth
β Too far underwater β insufficient light
Ammannia Golden / Nesaea pedicellata
Ammannia sp. 'Golden' / Nesaea pedicellata Guill. & Perr.
π Africa Β· tropical marsh areas
Uncommon COβ Recommended Diff.: β
β
β
π Midground/Background
π Medium
Golden-orange coloured amphibious plant. Depending on lighting the plant can range from golden-yellow to orange-red. Grows both emersed and submerged. Good intermediate option for warm yellow/orange colour in Dutch style.
βοΈ Water parameters
πͺ¨ Rich soil recommended
π³π± Dutch Style
Golden-orange colour accent for Dutch style. Unique tint few other plants have.
π‘ Tips
- Golden-yellow to orange-red depending on light
- COβ for best colour formation
- Can be kept both emersed and submerged
π Problems
β Loses golden colour
β Insufficient light
Aponogeton crispus Purple
Aponogeton crispus Thunb. (Purple)
π India Β· Sri Lanka Β· water bodies
Uncommon COβ Optional Diff.: β
β
β
π Midground
π Variable (dormancy)
Purple/brownish-red variant of A. crispus. Strongly wavy leaves. Grows from a corm that may have dormancy periods. After flowering the plant may decline significantly β this is normal. Spectacular but intermittently growing.
βοΈ Water parameters
πͺ¨ Rich soil required β knol
π³π± Dutch Style
Purple wavy water lily relative. Intermittently growing.
π‘ Tips
- Post-flowering dormancy normal β plant grows back
- Plant corm in rich soil
- Purple wavy leaves decorative
- Dormancy period: leave corm in soil
π Problems
β Plant declines after flowering
β Normal β dormancy period after flowering
Cuphea anagalloidea
Cuphea anagalloidea DC.
π South America Β· subtropical marsh areas
Uncommon COβ Optional Diff.: β
β
β
π Foreground/Waterline
π Medium
Semi-aquatic plant with small pink flowers. Creeping growth habit. Decorative as marginal plant and underwater variant. Small oval leaves.
βοΈ Water parameters
πͺ¨ Rijke soil
π³π± Dutch Style
Kruipende semi-aquatische plant voor Dutch style voorgrond/waterlijn.
π‘ Tips
- Semi-aquatic β also grows emersed
- Small pink flowers decorative
- Creeping growth habit
Cuphea utriculosa
Cuphea utriculosa Koehne
π South America Β· marsh areas
Uncommon COβ Optional Diff.: β
β
β
π Foreground/Waterline
π Medium
Semi-aquatic Cuphea with bladder-like fruits (utriculosa = with bladders). Decorative flowers. Similar care to C. anagalloidea but slightly larger.
βοΈ Water parameters
πͺ¨ Rijke soil
π³π± Dutch Style
Semi-aquatische Cuphea voor Dutch style waterlijn.
π‘ Tips
- Bladder-like fruits characteristic
- Semi-aquatic β also grows emersed
- Similar to C. anagalloidea
Elatine triandra Fluorescence
Elatine triandra Schkuhr 'Fluorescence'
π Europe Β· North America β temperate climate zones
Uncommon COβ Recommended Diff.: β
β
β
π Foreground β carpet
π Medium
Miniature plant with small bright green leaves. Fluorescence variant has fluorescent green colour. Carpet-like growth. Rare but particularly decorative.
βοΈ Water parameters
π‘οΈ Temp
15β25 Β°C
Temperate climate
πͺ¨ Fine active soil
π³π± Dutch Style
Fluorescent green carpet plant for Dutch style foreground.
π‘ Tips
- Fluorescent green is striking
- Temperate climate β no tropical heat
- Carpet-like growth
π Problems
β Poor growth
β Temperature too high
Lagenandra meeboldi Red
Lagenandra meeboldi Engl. 'Red'
π India Β· Sri Lanka Β· riverbanks
Uncommon COβ Optional Diff.: β
β
β
π Midground β on hardscape of in soil
π Slow
Related to Cryptocoryne but grows more as emersed plant. Red variant of L. meeboldi. Dark red-brown leaves. Similar care to Cryptocoryne.
βοΈ Water parameters
πͺ¨ Rijke soil of hardscape
π³π± Dutch Style
Red-brown Lagenandra for Dutch style midground.
π‘ Tips
- Related to Cryptocoryne
- Red leaves under good conditions
- Lagenandra melt normal after relocation
π Problems
β Leaves melt (Crypt melt)
β Normal reaction to relocation or parameter change β wait 2-4 weeks
Lagenandra meeboldi Silver Powder
Lagenandra meeboldi 'Silver Powder'
π India Β· Sri Lanka
Uncommon COβ Optional Diff.: β
β
β
π Midground
π Slow
Variety of L. meeboldi with striking silvery stippled pattern on leaves. Exceptionally decorative. Similar care to red variant.
βοΈ Water parameters
πͺ¨ Rijke soil of hardscape
π³π± Dutch Style
Silver stippled Lagenandra β most decorative variant.
π‘ Tips
- Silver stippled pattern unique
- More decorative than red variant
- Lagenandra melt normal after relocation
π Problems
β Leaves melt (Crypt melt)
β Normal reaction to relocation or parameter change β wait 2-4 weeks
Limnophila Belem Variegated
Limnophila sp. 'Belem Variegated'
π Brazil Β· Belem region
Uncommon COβ Recommended Diff.: β
β
β
π Background
π Medium
Special variegated variety of a Belem Limnophila with feathery whorled leaves and white/yellow variegated zones. Rarer than standard Limnophila.
βοΈ Water parameters
πͺ¨ Rijke soil
π³π± Dutch Style
Rare variegated Limnophila for Dutch style accent.
π‘ Tips
- Variegated feathery whorls unique
- Rarer than standard Limnophila
- COβ for best growth and colour
π Problems
β Loses variegation
β Insufficient light
Limnophila hippuridoides mini
Limnophila hippuridoides 'Mini'
π Asia β mini cultivar
Uncommon COβ Recommended Diff.: β
β
β
π Midground/Background
π Medium
Compact mini variant of L. hippuridoides. Fine needle-like whorled leaves. Smaller than standard β suitable for medium-sized aquariums. Similar care to other Limnophila species.
βοΈ Water parameters
πͺ¨ Rijke soil
π³π± Dutch Style
Compacte mini Limnophila voor Dutch style middengrond.
π‘ Tips
- More compact mini variant
- Fine needle-like whorled leaves
- Suitable for smaller aquariums than standard
Lysimachia parvifolia
Lysimachia parvifolia Franch. (ex Samolus velerandi)
π Asia β formerly traded as Samolus
Uncommon COβ Optional Diff.: β
β
β
π Foreground/Midground
π Medium
Long traded as "Samolus velerandi" but taxonomically classified as Lysimachia. Small round leaves. Easy to keep. Fresh light green colour. Mini variant available.
βοΈ Water parameters
πͺ¨ Any substrate
π³π± Dutch Style
Frisse lichtgroene Lysimachia. Vroeger als Samolus verhandeld.
π‘ Tips
- Formerly traded as Samolus velerandi
- Mini variant available (smaller)
- Suitable low-tech
- Fresh light green colour
Neptunia oleracea
Neptunia oleracea Lour.
π Tropical β cosmopolitan Β· floating water plant
Uncommon COβ Optional Diff.: β
β
β
π Wateroppervlak
π Fast
Floating plant with feathery leaves that react to touch (mimosa-like). Unique mechanical response in the hobby. Forms white roots at the water surface.
βοΈ Water parameters
π‘ PAR
100β500 Β΅mol
Full sun ideal
πͺ¨ Not applicable
π³π± Dutch Style
Drijvende plant met unieke touch-reaktie. Decoratief aan het wateroppervlak.
π‘ Tips
- Leaves react to touch β unique
- Floating β no substrate needed
- Full sun for best growth
- Regular thinning needed
Poacea Purple Bamboo
Isachne globosa (Thunb.) Kuntze
π Asia Β· tropical and subtropical banks
Uncommon COβ Optional Diff.: β
β
β
π Waterline/Foreground
π Medium
Grass-like semi-aquatic plant with purple tinges. Decorative marginal grass effect. Grows along the waterline and can be kept submersed. Characteristic purple tint.
βοΈ Water parameters
πͺ¨ Rijke soil
π³π± Dutch Style
Paars bamboe-achtig oevergras voor Dutch style waterlijn.
π‘ Tips
- Purple tinges characteristic
- Grows along waterline
- Can be kept submerged and emersed
Pogostemon helferi
Pogostemon helferi (Benth.) Press
π Thailand Β· Myanmar Β· rocky streams
Common COβ Recommended Diff.: β
β
β
π Foreground/Midground
π Medium
Unique spirally curled leaves. Good midground accent. Pink-red variant (Helferi Red) also available. Grows low and wide.
βοΈ Water parameters
πͺ¨ Rich soil recommended
π³π± Dutch Style
Spiral ground plant for Dutch style terrace 1-2.
π‘ Tips
- Unique spirally curled leaves
- Red variant (Helferi Red) also available
- Grows low and wide
π Problems
β Loses spiral form
β Insufficient light
Pogostemon helferi Red
Pogostemon helferi 'Red'
π Thailand Β· Myanmar β red variant
Uncommon COβ Recommended Diff.: β
β
β
π Foreground/Midground
π Medium
Red/pink variant of P. helferi with same spirally curled leaves but with striking red to pink colour. Slightly more demanding than the green standard. High light for best colour formation.
βοΈ Water parameters
πͺ¨ Rich soil recommended
π³π± Dutch Style
Red spiral ground plant. Beautiful contrast next to green plants.
π‘ Tips
- Same spiral form as green variant but red
- High light for red colour
- Slightly more demanding than green Helferi
π Problems
β Loses red
β Insufficient light
Pogostemon Heidelberg
Pogostemon sp. 'Heidelberg'
π Southeast Asia (precise origin unclear)
Uncommon COβ Recommended Diff.: β
β
β
π Midground
π Medium
Rare Pogostemon variant named after the German city of Heidelberg (probably location of first grower). Similar spiral form to Helferi but somewhat different leaf structure. Medium requirements.
βοΈ Water parameters
πͺ¨ Rijke soil
π³π± Dutch Style
Zeldzame Pogostemon variant voor Dutch style middengrond.
π‘ Tips
- Rarer than Helferi
- Similar spiral form
- Medium difficulty
Potamogeton Curly
Potamogeton sp. 'Curly'
π Temperate β cosmopolitan Β· curled variant
Uncommon COβ Optional Diff.: β
β
β
π Background
π Medium
Curled/wavy variant of Potamogeton. Fine serrated curled leaves. Grows vertically upward. Good texture plant for background.
βοΈ Water parameters
π‘οΈ Temp
10β25 Β°C
Temperate climate
πͺ¨ Rijke soil of sand
π³π± Dutch Style
Curled Potamogeton for texture in Dutch style background.
π‘ Tips
- Temperate climate β no tropical heat
- Curled leaf structure unique
- Grows vertically β good background plant
π Problems
β Poor growth
β Temperature too high
Potamogeton octandrus Red
Potamogeton octandrus Poir. 'Red'
π Asia Β· tropical water bodies
Uncommon COβ Recommended Diff.: β
β
β
π Midground/Background
π Medium
Red variant of P. octandrus. Slender red lanceolate leaves. More tropical than P. curly. Grows well in warm water.
βοΈ Water parameters
πͺ¨ Rijke soil
π³π± Dutch Style
Red Asian Potamogeton for Dutch style accent.
π‘ Tips
- Red lanceolate leaves
- More tropical than P. curly
- Soft water recommended
π Problems
β Loses red
β Insufficient light
Proserpinaca palustris
Proserpinaca palustris L.
π North America Β· marsh areas
Uncommon COβ Recommended Diff.: β
β
β
π Midground/Background
π Medium
Interesting plant that changes leaf form depending on conditions (emersed vs submersed). Submersed leaves are feathery like Myriophyllum; emersed leaves are serrated. Orange-red tinges under high light and low nutrients.
βοΈ Water parameters
π‘οΈ Temp
18β26 Β°C
Temperate/subtropical
π§ͺ NOβ
2β15 ppm
Low NOβ = orange-red
π¬ POβ
0.05β0.3 ppm
πͺ¨ Rijke soil
π³π± Dutch Style
Special leaf-form changer. Orange-red under low NOβ and high light.
π‘ Tips
- Leaf forms change emersedβsubmerged
- Low NOβ for orange-red colouration
- Subtropical β lower temperatures OK
- Similar to Myriophyllum in growth habit
π Problems
β Loses orange colour
β NOβ too high
Samolus velerandi
Samolus valerandi L.
π Cosmopolitan β temperate and subtropical
Uncommon COβ Optional Diff.: β
β
β
π Foreground/Waterline
π Slow
Note: taxonomically different from Lysimachia parvifolia. Small round light green leaves. Water violet relative. Grows along the waterline. Soft character and refined appearance.
βοΈ Water parameters
πͺ¨ Rijke soil
π³π± Dutch Style
Gematigde waterlijnplant voor Dutch style voorgrond.
π‘ Tips
- Temperate climate β lower temperatures
- Simple care
- Water violet relative
Staurogyne Repens Purple
Staurogyne sp. 'Repens Purple'
π Brazil β purple cultivar of S. repens
Uncommon COβ Recommended Diff.: β
β
β
π Foreground/Low midground
π Slow-medium
Purple variant of the popular S. repens. Similar growth habit but with striking purple/dark violet tint under high light. Slightly rarer than standard repens.
βοΈ Water parameters
πͺ¨ Rijke soil
π³π± Dutch Style
Purple Staurogyne for colour accent in Dutch style foreground.
π‘ Tips
- Purple tint under high light
- Slightly rarer than standard repens
- Similar care
π Problems
β Loses purple
β Insufficient light
Staurogyne sp. Brown
Staurogyne sp. 'Brown'
π Asia β brown variant
Uncommon COβ Recommended Diff.: β
β
β
π Foreground/Low midground
π Slow-medium
Brown/brownish-green variant of Staurogyne. Special earthy brown colour. Similar growth habit to repens but with warm brown tinges.
βοΈ Water parameters
πͺ¨ Rijke soil
π³π± Dutch Style
Bruine Staurogyne voor aardse kleuraccent in Dutch style.
π‘ Tips
- Brown earthy colour unique
- Similar to repens in growth habit
- Warm brown tinges
Vallisneria triptera
Vallisneria triptera Asch.
π Australia Β· Northern Australian subspecies
Uncommon COβ Optional Diff.: β
β
β
π Background
π Medium-fast
Rare Australian Vallisneria with three-winged (triptera = three wings) flowering stem. Broad ribbon-like leaves. Spreads via runners. Tolerant of hard water.
βοΈ Water parameters
πͺ¨ Rijke soil of sand β uitlopers
π³π± Dutch Style
Zeldzame Australische Vallisneria voor Dutch style achtergrond.
π‘ Tips
- Australian species β tolerates hard water
- Spreads via runners
- Three-winged flowering stem characteristic
Vallisneria rubra
Vallisneria sp. 'Rubra'
π Asia β red variant
Uncommon COβ Optional Diff.: β
β
β
π Background
π Medium-fast
Red variant of Vallisneria with reddish ribbon-like leaves. More beautiful than green standard. Similar growth habit but with more decorative red colour under high light.
βοΈ Water parameters
πͺ¨ Rijke soil of sand
π³π± Dutch Style
Red Vallisneria for Dutch style background accent.
π‘ Tips
- Red ribbon-like leaves more decorative
- Similar care to green Vallisneria
- Fe dosing for better red colour
π Problems
β Loses red
β Insufficient light or Fe deficiency
Xyris montana
Xyris montana Ries
π North America Β· mountain areas
Uncommon COβ Recommended Diff.: β
β
β
π Midground
π Slow
Mountain variant of Xyris. Similar appearance but slightly more robust. Grows in cooler conditions than X. difformis. Rare in the hobby.
βοΈ Water parameters
π‘οΈ Temp
12β24 Β°C
Mountain species β cooler water
π¬ POβ
0.05β0.2 ppm
πͺ¨ Rijke zachte soil
π³π± Dutch Style
Bergvariant Xyris β koeler water dan de standaard soort.
π‘ Tips
- Mountain species β cooler water than difformis
- Rarer than X. difformis
- Soft water required
Data: STRAAT Dutch Style Β· Aquasabi Β· community-verified sources | 2026 Aquabloom