Staurogyne repens

Overview

Staurogyne repens is a small Brazilian stem plant with tightly packed, lance-shaped, deep green leaves that forms compact, rounded bushes about 2-4 inches tall. It reached the hobby relatively recently and quickly became an aquascaping favorite.

It is used in the foreground to create low, dense "shrubs," to soften the base of rocks and driftwood, or as a transition between a carpet and midground plants. It is more forgiving than classic carpeting plants and grows in low-tech tanks without CO2, just more slowly. A great pick for beginners who want a green foreground without the hassle.

Care and tank setup

Staurogyne is hardy, but to grow low and compact it needs decent light and a nutrient-rich substrate.

• Light: medium. In low light it stretches upward; with more light it stays flat and dense.
• CO2: optional. With CO2 it grows faster, with bigger, glossier leaves.
• Substrate: aqua soil or gravel with root tabs; it develops a strong root system.
• Planting: separate the stems and bury each about 1 inch deep, stripping leaves from the buried part, roughly 1.5 inches apart.
• Placement: foreground and the base of rocks or driftwood.

The classic mistake is never trimming it, which leaves it tall and scraggly. It also drops lower leaves when shaded. It gets along fine with small fish and shrimp in any cycled community tank.

Fertilizing and trimming

It appreciates a complete liquid fertilizer and root tabs every 2-3 months if the substrate isn't nutrient-rich. Pale leaves or see-through tips usually mean a nutrient shortage. Trimming is key: cut stems back to the height you want, and the side shoots that follow make the clump bushier. Regular trims turn it into a tight little shrub.

Propagation

It propagates from cuttings: the stems you trim off can be planted right away and root within days. It also puts out side shoots and some creeping stems that slowly spread across the substrate. With a few pots and some patience, you can cover a whole foreground just by replanting the tops you cut.

Recommended equipment

What you need to keep the Staurogyne repens healthy, checked against Amazon stock.