Ammania Gracilis

Quick facts

Identity

Also known as

African Hygro; Red Ammannia; Large Red Ammania

Synonyms

Ammannia crassicaulis (misapplied); Nesaea crassicaulis (misapplied trade name)

Environment

Freshwater

Native to

West Africa (Senegambia region, Liberia)

Habitat

Swampy riverbanks and seasonal floodplains, growing emersed in full sun and submerging when water levels rise

Sourcing

Aquacultured

Conservation

Not Evaluated

Care

Care level

Moderate

Growth form

Stem

Max height

4 – 20 in (10 – 51 cm)

Spread

6 in (15 cm)

Growth rate

Fast

Placement

Midground, Background

Water

Temperature

72 – 82 °F (22 – 28 °C)

pH

6.0 – 7.5

GH

4 – 12 dGH

dKH

0 – 12 dKH

Flow

Moderate

Light

High

CO₂

Beneficial

Planting

Substrate

Nutrient-rich preferred

Feeds from

Both

Fertilizer needs

High

Colors

Green, Orange, Pink, Red, Brown

Feeding & breeding

Propagation

Cuttings

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Care guide

Overview

Opposing, wavy-edged leaves shift from olive-green to salmon, copper, and pink along tall, upright stems that can reach 8 inches or more before trimming. Grown as a midground to background stem plant, it demands high light, a nutrient-rich substrate, and benefits from CO2 injection to hold its warmer tones. Regular pruning and replanting of cuttings keeps growth bushy rather than leggy.

Care

Ammannia gracilis is a tall, fast-growing stem plant that colors up into shades of copper, salmon, and brownish red when given strong light and a full fertilizer regimen. It is generally considered a step above beginner stems in difficulty, since dull green growth and lower leaf drop are common signs that light, nutrients, or CO2 are insufficient. Plant several stems together with a little space between them so light reaches the lower leaves, and expect to trim regularly once it reaches the surface. It tolerates a fairly wide temperature range but does best above 75°F and dislikes abrupt shifts in water chemistry.

Planting & trimming

Root the stems directly in a nutrient-rich substrate, spacing them a couple of inches apart so light can reach the lower leaves of each stem. Once stems approach the surface, trim the tops and replant them, which also encourages bushier, multi-branched growth from the cut point. It can also be grown emersed in a paludarium or open-top setup, where it produces small pink to purple flowers.

Fertilizing

This plant is a heavy feeder that draws nutrients through both roots and leaves, so a nutrient-rich substrate combined with root tabs and regular liquid fertilizing gives the best results. Iron and other micronutrients are especially important for holding the red-brown coloration; fading color usually points to insufficient iron, while excess nitrate tends to push growth back toward green. CO2 injection is not mandatory but noticeably improves density, stem strength, and color saturation.

Propagation

Propagate by cutting the top few inches off a healthy stem and replanting the cutting directly into the substrate; the parent stem will branch out from the cut. Lateral side shoots can also be removed and replanted as new, independent stems. Growth is fast enough that a single healthy stem can furnish a tank with multiple new plants within a few weeks.

Problems

New plantings often shed a few lower leaves as they adjust to submersed conditions, which is normal and not a sign of disease. Persistent yellowing, holes, or stunted new growth usually trace back to a nutrient shortfall rather than pests. Algae on the leaves is common when light is too strong relative to nutrient dosing and flow, and is best addressed by rebalancing those factors rather than treating the plant itself.

Sources

1. Ammannia gracilis care: light, CO2 and placement · TankBud
2. Ammannia gracilis - Flowgrow Aquatic Plant Database
3. Large Ammannia (Ammannia gracilis) Care Guide & Plant Profile | Guidarium
4. Ammannia gracilis | Aquasabi - Aquascaping Shop

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