A new waterweed plant is allowed to swim freely in the water. But in some cases it makes more sense to plant it and give it a permanent place. Depending on whether your future home is a pond or an aquarium, the planting will differ slightly.
How do you plant waterweed correctly?
To plant waterweed, remove the lower leaves and place the stem in the substrate or a planting basket. Plant them individually in the aquarium and in bunches in the pond. Bright locations, constant temperatures and CO2 values of 10-20 mg/l are optimal.
Location and soil requirements
Sunny or partially shaded outside, bright in the aquarium and without direct sunlight. This is the description of the ideal location for this aquatic plant. In the aquarium, the background is ideal for this fast-growing plant. There are no demands on the floor. Different temperatures are also tolerated as long as the value is constant in all areas of the water basin.
Tip
Instead of planting the waterweed in the substrate, you can also place it in a plant basket filled with substrate (€24.00 on Amazon). This makes it easier to control their spread.
The ideal time
In an aquarium you can plant waterweed at any time, while the beginning of the new growing season is best for the pond. If you get the plant from a natural body of water, you should transport it in a bag filled with water and plant it as soon as possible. Purchased specimens, which are usually offered in bundles of 5-10 shoots, should be planted promptly.
How to plant waterweed correctly
Remove the lower leaves of the plant and insert the bottom of the stem into the ground. Planting is done! For a small pond and aquarium, just a few shoots are enough, as waterweed grows into a sizeable plant quite quickly. In the aquarium, the individual shoots are planted at a distance. 3-5 pieces can be planted in bunches in the pond in order to create dense greenery even more quickly.
Waterweed that swims in water also tends to “implant” itself by seizing the next opportunity to put down roots in the ground. It remains to be seen whether the chosen location suits the owner.
Care after planting
The waterweed does not need any starter fertilization or any other support when rooting. However, keep an eye on the optimal living conditions and the required care of the waterweed in order to respond promptly to its needs:
- do not fertilize until waterweed shows nutrient deficiency
- for example due to paler coloring of the leaves
- Keep CO2 levels in the aquarium between 10 and 20 mg/l
- Ensure adequate lighting
