Hornwort
Ceratophyllum demersum
PlantsFreshwater
- Care level
- Easy
- Temperature
- 15–28 °C
- pH
- 6–8
- Light
- Low
- Diet
- Photosynthetic
Care at a glance
Hornwort is the emergency solution that works in almost any situation: a rootless stem plant you simply lay in the water, which grows extremely fast and takes up substantial amounts of nitrate and phosphate each day. In a new or out-of-balance tank it is the quickest remedy against algae.
It has no roots, so let it float or wedge the end loosely between a few pebbles; buried, the base rots away. It tolerates cold water and is therefore usable in a pond or unheated tank too. Expect it to shed needles after sudden changes, which looks messy but passes on its own, and trim it back regularly.
Related species
Values are mainstream hobbyist guidance, not gospel — always watch what your own animals need.
In the BlubHub app you link your inhabitants to this database and see the care info next to your own water parameters.