Hornwort
Ceratophyllum demersum
PlantsFreshwater
- Care level
- Easy
- Maximum size
- 100 cm
- 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
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Values are mainstream hobbyist guidance, not gospel — always watch what your own animals need.