Nesaea Pedicellata Golden

Quick facts

Identity

Also known as

Golden Ammannia

Synonyms

Ammannia pedicellata (Hiern) S.A. Graham & Gandhi

Environment

Freshwater

Native to

East Africa

Habitat

Temporary puddles, bogs, ponds, swamps and seasonally flooded ground, growing emersed during dry periods and submersed when flooded

Sourcing

Captive-bred

Conservation

Not Evaluated

Care

Care level

Difficult

Growth form

Stem

Max height

4 – 16 in (10 – 41 cm)

Spread

3 in (7.6 cm)

Growth rate

Fast

Placement

Midground, Background

Water

Temperature

72 – 82 °F (22 – 28 °C)

pH

5.0 – 7.5

GH

2 – 12 dGH

Flow

Moderate

Light

High

CO₂

Required

Planting

Substrate

Nutrient-rich preferred

Feeds from

Both

Fertilizer needs

High

Colors

Green, Yellow, Orange

Feeding & breeding

Propagation

Cuttings

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Care guide

Overview

Greenish-gold leaves contrast with pinkish-red stems, a color combination that intensifies under strong light and CO2 but fades to plain green if either is lacking. This demanding stem plant suits midground or background placement in nutrient-rich setups with steady dosing. Expect regular trimming and some initial melt after planting as it adjusts to submersed growth.

Care

This stem plant needs strong, even lighting and pressurized CO2 to develop its golden-yellow coloring against pinkish-red stems; without both, it tends to revert to a plainer green and grow leggy. It is not a beginner plant and rewards steady dosing of macro and micronutrients, including root feeding in the substrate. Space stems apart when planting so lower leaves are not shaded, since heavy shade can cause blackening and shedding of the lower foliage. Regular trimming every 1-3 weeks keeps the stand compact and prevents it from shading out neighboring plants.

Planting & trimming

Plant stems directly into a nutrient-rich substrate, spacing them a couple of inches apart so light reaches the lower leaves of each stem. Root tabs placed near the base help it establish more quickly. Trim the top few centimetres of a stem periodically to control height and encourage denser, bushier growth, replanting the cut tops as new stems.

Fertilizing

Feed with a complete liquid fertilizer weekly along with root tabs pushed into the substrate near the base of the stems, since this plant draws nutrients from both the water column and its roots. Yellowing leaves, holes, or stalled growth are usually signs of a nutrient deficiency rather than disease, so increase dosing before assuming a pest or health problem. Some growers note sensitivity to excess potassium, so dose K conservatively and watch for any negative response.

Propagation

Propagate by cutting the top few centimetres from a healthy stem or removing a lateral side shoot, then replanting the cutting directly into the substrate. Each cut section will branch and bush out, and the parent stem will also send out new side shoots after trimming. This is an easy and reliable method that works well even for less experienced growers once the plant is established and growing well.

Problems

Algae on the leaves is the most common issue and usually points to too much light relative to available nutrients or weak water flow rather than a fault of the plant itself. Expect some lower leaf loss and melting in the first week or two after planting as it transitions to submersed growth; steady light, CO2 and fertilizing will bring on stronger new growth. Remove any dying or rotting leaves promptly to prevent them fouling the water column.

Sources

1. Nesaea pedicellata Golden care: light, CO2 and placement · TankBud
2. Ammannia pedicellata 'Golden' | Aquasabi - Aquascaping Shop
3. Golden Nesaea (Ammannia Pedicellata 1) Care Guide
4. Nesaea Pedicellata Golden Care Guide | Melbourne Tropical

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