🌿 General Overview

• Common Name: Dwarf Limnophila aquatica, Mini Giant Ambulia, Dwarf Ambulia

• Scientific Name: Limnophila aquatica (dwarf variant)

• Family: Plantaginaceae (formerly Scrophulariaceae)

• Origin: Southeast Asia (India, Sri Lanka, Thailand)

• Type: Stem plant (tissue culture version is sterile and pest-free)

• Difficulty Level: Moderate

• Growth Form: Bushy, soft-feathered, and upright stems

🧫 About the “TC” (Tissue Culture) Form

• Grown in vitro under sterile lab conditions in nutrient gel.

• Advantages:

  • Free from algae, snails, and pathogens

  • No pesticides (safe for shrimp and sensitive fish)

  • Adapts faster and cleaner to new tanks

• Preparation:

  1. Remove plant from tissue culture cup.

  2. Rinse off all the gel completely under clean water.

  3. Divide into small stem portions before planting.

🌱 Appearance

• Height: 10–25 cm (shorter than regular Limnophila aquatica, hence “Dwarf”)

• Leaf Shape: Fine, feather-like, and whorled around the stem

• Color: Bright to light green under normal light; slightly reddish tips under intense light and CO₂

• Texture: Soft, delicate, and bushy appearance

• Growth Habit: Upright stems forming dense clusters

💧 Tank Requirements

• Tank Placement: Midground to background (depending on trimming height)

• Tank Size: Works well even in small tanks due to compact growth

• Lighting: Medium to high (essential for dense foliage and vibrant color)

• CO₂: Recommended for healthy growth and compact form

• Temperature: 22–28°C (72–82°F)

• pH: 5.5–7.5

• Water Hardness: 2–10 dGH (soft to moderately hard water)

• Flow: Gentle to moderate; too strong a current can damage delicate leaves

🌾 Planting Tips

• Divide tissue culture into small clusters (3–5 stems).

• Plant individual clusters 2–3 cm apart in nutrient-rich substrate.

• Handle carefully—its stems are soft and easily bruised.

• Avoid burying too deep to prevent rotting.

☀️ Growth and Maintenance

• Growth Rate: Moderate to fast (depending on CO₂ and lighting)

• Trimming:

  • Regular trimming encourages bushy, dense growth.

  • Trim tops and replant the healthy cuttings for propagation.

• Propagation:

  • Via stem cuttings (replant trimmed tops into substrate).

• Fertilization:

  • Needs root and liquid fertilizers for best color and growth.

  • Iron-rich fertilizer enhances leaf brightness.

🧩 Aquascaping Uses

• Excellent background filler in nano or medium tanks.

• Adds a soft, flowing texture to planted scapes.

• Ideal for contrast against hardscape or plants with larger leaves.

• Works beautifully in Nature and Dutch-style aquascapes.

⚕️ Common Problems

• Melting or Leaf Drop: Sudden parameter changes or low CO₂/light.

• Yellowing Tips: Iron or nutrient deficiency.

• Stunted Growth: Caused by poor light or weak substrate nutrition.

• Algae on Leaves: Excess light or unstable CO₂ without adequate nutrients.

🌿 Care Tips

• Maintain consistent CO₂ (20–30 ppm) for lush growth.

• Keep a photoperiod of around 8 hours daily.

• Perform weekly 30–40% water changes.

• Trim regularly to maintain shape and encourage side shoots.

🌍 Interesting Facts

• Limnophila aquatica is closely related to Limnophila sessiliflora but has finer and denser leaves.

• The dwarf form is selectively cultivated for aquascaping, making it more compact and easier to manage.

• Its soft texture and vibrant color make it a favorite for creating “underwater forest” effects.