Large-flowered waterweed

Description

Egeria densa, also known as dense-leaved waterweed, is a widely distributed submersed aquarium plant originating from Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. It thrives in deep, slow-flowing or stagnant water and can be found in most fish stores. This plant grows well in warm temperatures but may not be reliably hardy in Central Europe. To differentiate Egeria densa from other waterweeds like Lagarosiphon and Hydrilla, look for partially whorled and irregular alternate leaves with a smooth margin and shorter internodes than leaf length. Egeria densa is one of the easiest plants to cultivate and can grow as a floating or anchored plant in aquariums. It excels at enriching water with oxygen, binding nutrients, and competing against algae. While it prefers colder temperatures and hard water rich in calcium, it can tolerate warmer temperatures for short periods and soft water without significant growth impact. CO2 fertilization is not necessary but may enhance growth. Propagation is simple by cutting off lateral shoots and replanting them into the substrate. Regular trimming is recommended to maintain a desired appearance due to its rapid growth and limited tolerance of higher temperatures.