OVERVIEW: Japanese Cress is a stem plant that has small, light green roundish leaves with slightly jagged edges. Pprimarily used in the foreground or midground it provides a nice contrast of colour and leaf form. The plant becomes quite bushy if grown under sufficient light.
HABITAT: Marshes.
NATIVE RANGE: Japan, China, Korea.
MAXIMUM HEIGHT: 14 inch (35 cm).
LIGHTING: Bright.
WATER: 59-79 F (15-26 C); pH: Neutral; Hardness: Moderately hard water.
FEEDING: CO2 fertilisation is appreciated.
SPECIAL CARE: Keep this plant trimmed to prevent unsightly straggly stems. It does not tolerate chemicals or pollution well but otherwise it is not fussy about water conditions.
PROPAGATION: Cuttings.
NOTES: Without adequate light, this plant will become spindly with weak stems. Because of its low temperature requirements, Japanese Cress is ideal for fishes like White Cloud Mountain Minnows and other cool water fishes. It would seem to be natural with Goldfish - which it is if you want them to stip an entire bush overnight!. Keep the water movement gentle. It can also be grown as a floating plant on the surface of the water, close to the light where it may produce small white flowers.

