Limnophila aromatica "Mini"

Overview: Native to Southeast Asia, Limnophilia aromatica ‘Mini’ is a beautiful aquatic plant species that you can grow in the aquarium. It is naturally found in slow-moving and stagnant water. The smaller size, vibrant red and green coloration, and east-to-care nature of the plant make it one of the most desirable among aquarists. At the same time, as the name indicates, it is smaller in size and requires little space to grow, thus being suitable for small tanks, too. One can grow it as a foreground or midground plant and prepare a stunning aquascape.

Appearance: Limnophilia aromatica ‘Mini’ is known for its vibrant reddish-green color. The leaves are lance-shaped, and they attain a peculiar red color when exposed to high light intensity. Usually, it grows in clusters and attains a height of not more than 10 to 15 cm. From the compact growth to the small height– everything in Limnophilia aromatica ‘Mini’ makes it perfect for aquascaping even in limited space.

Hard/Soft Plant: Limnophilia aromatica ‘Mini’ is a soft plant. The leaves are delicate and may melt when the water parameters fluctuate rapidly. In such cases, the plant will show signs of distress.

Ideal Water Temperature: The ideal water temperature for Limnophilia aromatica ‘Mini’ to thrive is between 22 and 28 degrees Celsius. For proper growth and development, the water temperature should stay stable and within the range and should not fluctuate.  

Lighting Conditions: Limnophilia aromatica ‘Mini’ grows well when the tank gets moderate to high light. It is when the leaves will become vibrant and show their true colors. If you aim for a reddish tone, ensure that the tank requires high light. Even though Limnophilia aromatica ‘Mini’ can easily tolerate varying light intensities, the best is low to high light conditions.

Ideal pH Level: pH should be between 6 and 7.5. pH outside this range may lead to stress and poor growth of the plant.

Other Requirements: Water needs to be either soft or moderately hard with hardness between 4 to 12 GH. Substrate should be rich in nutrients and have iron predominantly as this plant utilizes it the most. Limnophilia aromatica ‘Mini’ can grow without additional carbon dioxide, but providing it will help it flourish better with dense foliage.

Propagation: One can propagate Limnophilia aromatica ‘Mini’ through cuttings. Cut a healthy stem below the leaf node and replant it into the substrate. Under the right water and substrate parameters, it will develop roots and grow into a new plant.

Do You Know: Limnophilia aromatica ‘Mini’ exhibits its prominent red color only under high light intensity. Therefore, if you are planning to add it to your aquarium to bring more colors to the tank, ensure that there is ample light.