Home Freshwater Plants Banana Plant
Banana Plant
(Nymphoides aquatica)
• Care Level: Moderate • Lighting: Low to Medium • Maximum Size: 6"
• Placement: Foreground • Water Conditions: 70-82° F, pH 6.0-7.5, KH 3-6
• Propagation: Formed leaves pressed into substrate, Adventitious Plants • Color Forms: Green
Supplements: High Quality Liquid or Substrate Fertilizer
• Origin: Southeastern United States • Family: Menyanthaceae
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Species Information
Banana Plant native habitat, distribution, behavior & aquarium compatibility.
The Banana plant (Nymphoides aquatica) -also known as the Big Floating Heart and Banana Lilly- is a unique looking Rosette plant that gets its name from its banana shaped tubers. These unusual tubers are actually where the Banana plant stores all of its nutrients.
The Banana plant is most commonly found in Florida within slow moving rivers and calm lakes. It can also be found elsewhere in the Southeastern United States. The Banana plant's color will range from dark to light green depending on lighting intensity.
Aquarium Care
How to successfully keep Banana Plant in the home aquarium.
The Banana plant is an amphibious plant that can grow either fully or partially submerged and although moderate lighting is recommended for optimal growth and health, the Banana plant can survive in a low light environment. When planting a Banana plant, make sure only one third of the tubers are in the substrate as the plant will also grow a normal root system.
In a calm location, the Banana plant can be left to sit on the bottom of the tank and the roots will plant themselves in to the substrate. The Banana plant will grow faster and have a light green coloration with moderate lighting, and will grow slowly and retain a dark green coloration in low lighting conditions. Although the Banana plant is considered a hardy species, it can be severely damaged by snails.
Nutrition & Propagation
How to propagate Banana Plant.
For optimal growth, the Banana plant requires a moderate level of light at 2 watts per gallon with full spectrum (5000-7000K) bulbs, and will greatly benefit from high quality liquid or substrate fertilizer. Propagation occurs when adventitious plants are formed and pressed into substrate. Fully formed leaves may also be pressed into substrate to form new plants.
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