Natuscape Limnobium Spongy

Spongy limnobium and its appearance

Spongy Limnobium (Limnobium laevigatum) is a floating plant of the Hydrocharitaceae family. It forms rosettes of rounded, green leaves that float freely on the water’s surface. Their distinctive, spongy underside helps the plant to stay afloat.

Another attractive feature of Limnobium is its delicate roots, which hang down into the aquarium. They create a natural screen, giving the upper part of the tank a wilder, more natural look. This plant is particularly suitable where you want to add variety to the water’s surface and create some localised shade.

For freshwater aquariums as a floating plant that decorates the water’s surface and provides cover beneath it. Its roots offer shelter to the tank’s smaller inhabitants. Limnobium is well suited to set-ups with fish that prefer sheltered spots near the surface, including gouramis.

As it grows, it shades the lower parts of the aquarium, so it is worth keeping an eye on the amount of space it takes up.

Scientific name: Limnobium laevigatum

Origin: South America

Level of difficulty: Easy

Growth rate: Moderate to rapid, depending on conditions

Colour: Green

Planting plan: Water surface area

Growth habit: Floating rosettes with trailing roots

Height of the aerial part: Usually a few centimetres; the roots extend much deeper

Reproduction: Via runners, on which new plants develop

Limnobium absorbs nutrients directly from the water, so it does not require a substrate or fertilisers placed near the roots at the bottom of the aquarium. With access to light and nutrients, it produces new leaves and offshoots. When nutrient levels fall, its growth slows down noticeably.

No additional CO₂ dosing is required. As a floating plant, Limnobium utilises the carbon dioxide present in the air. It is best to place it in a calmer part of the water surface, where it will not be constantly submerged by the flow from the filter.

General light requirements: Low to medium; good light promotes the plant’s growth.

The leaves should have direct access to light and not be covered by a dense layer of other floating plants. In the case of Limnobium, the illumination of the water surface itself is more important than the W/l or lm/l ratio. As the plant is situated close to the lamp, the light output selected for plants growing at the bottom does not accurately reflect its conditions.

Water pH: pH 5–8

Water hardness: Soft to hard

Temperature: 18–28°C

Limnobium should not be planted in the substrate. The plant should be gently placed on the water’s surface, with the leaves resting on the surface and the roots freely submerged.

Under favourable conditions, the plant spreads via runners. Regularly removing excess rosettes prevents the remaining plants from being overshadowed. When caring for the plant, it is also advisable to remove dying leaves. Leave part of the water surface uncovered to allow light to reach the interior of the aquarium and to make it easier to feed the fish.

The plants we offer come from our own breeding tanks. Before dispatch, we carefully select the specimens, paying close attention to their condition.

Limnobium is a living plant, so individual cuttings may vary in leaf size, growth habit and root length. Once transferred to a new aquarium, the rate of growth will depend on lighting, the availability of nutrients and water conditions.

Quantity sold: 1 seedling with 4–5 leaves.

The plants we send to you are accompanied by plant passports – also known as plant health certificates.

I hereby declare that, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 October 2016 on protective measures against pests of plants, amending Regulations (EU) No 228/2013, (EU) No 652/2014 and (EU) No 1143/2014, and repealing Council Directives 69/464/EEC, 74/647/EEC, 93/85/EEC, 98/57/EC, 2006/91/EC and 2007/33/EC, a plant passport is attached to each commercial unit.