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Freshwater   Plants

Lace plant
(Aponogeton madagascariensis)

Lace plant

Alternative species (click on the thumbnail to see the card)

Names

Scientific name
Aponogeton madagascariensis

Common name
Lace plant
Madagascar laceleaf
Lattice leaf
Lattice lace leaf

Origin

what are his countries of origin?

Origin: Madagascar

Ideal fertilization

how to fertilize this plant?

CO2: 5-40mg/l
Nitrates (NO3): 10-50mg/l
Phosphates (PO4): 0,1-3mg/l
Potassium (K): 5-30mg/l
Iron (Fe): 0,01-0,5mg/l

Group

which group is this plant?

Aponogetonaceae

Kind

what is the type of plant?

Rhizome

Parameters

What are the Water parameters for the maintenance of this plant?

T°: 20 to 22°C or 68 to 71°F
pH: 5.5 to 6.8
Hardness:1 to 3°dGH

Difficulty

difficulty

Hard

Lighting

what brightness is needed?

Average

Size

what is the maximum size of the plant?

30 to 50 cm (12 to 20")

Plantation

in which area of the aquarium install this plant?

Background

Growth

how fast does this plant grow?

Fast

Presentation

Who is the Lace plant?

Presentation

Who is the Lace plant?

Very nice plant for large aquariums (can measure up to 50 cm or 20 inches high and 25 cm or 10 inches wide!). Only the experts will be able to take advantage of these magnificent unique serrated leaves. Indeed, the leaves of this Aponogeton form a very aesthetic mesh but this plant is complicated to maintain. Because of this, it is quite difficult to find it in the « classic » trade. You will have a better chance of buying them on specialised websites.

It can be maintained in aquarium or paludarium.

Planting and maintenance

How to plant and maintain the Lace plant?

Planting and maintenance

How to plant and maintain the Lace plant?

Because of its size, prefer to install your Aponogeton madagascariensis in the back of your decor and in the current.

You must keep it in extremely clean water, very clear, without any particles in suspension (watch out for nitrates and phosphates). You will have to change the water very frequently. In addition, the water in the aquarium should never exceed 25°C or 77°F for a nice flowering of the plant (ideally from 20 to 22°C or 68 to 71°F). Finally, prefer a soft and slightly acidic water. If these conditions are not respected, the sentence will fall very quickly: the plant will be invaded by algae that will suffocate it.

Also note that this species does not like direct lighting and prefers to be in the shade.

For an ideal maintenance, you will have to observe a vegetative rest once a year. To do this, remove the bulb from the aquarium and let it hibernate in a damp sand or in a basin of non-calcareous water maintained at low temperature (10°C or 50°F). Leave it for at least a month.

If its maintenance is well done and if we observe the annual rest, this plant should restart every year and even bloom! The plant forms an emergent spike on which grow tiny white, pearly, pink or purple flowers.

This plant does not require any particular contribution of Co2.

Farming

How to farm the Lace plant?

Farming

How to farm the Lace plant?

It is done by dividing the tuber when it reaches 10 cm or 4 inches. Make sure that the part you detached has roots and not to damage the mother’s foot during the separation. It is therefore necessary to be very meticulous during this operation (you can use a razor blade to help you).

Good To know

Find all additional information!

Good To know

Find all additional information!

As its name suggests, this plant is native to Madagascar, where it lives entirely submerged. Unfortunately, victim of its success, it has almost disappeared in its natural environment. Make sure that the plants you buy are crop plants and not collected in the wild.

In the family Aponogetons, it is the most delicate variety and the most difficult to maintain.

This plant comes in several variants: the structure and the width of the leaves will then distinguish these different types of Aponogeton madagascariensis.

It may be that your plant arrives in a sad state because it does not like to travel. Once installed in the aquarium, it should work out in 2 or 3 weeks.

The tubers are consumables: they are usually grilled.

Yours photos!

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