Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum) is a popular aquatic plant for aquariums and ponds. Its feathery, bright green foliage enhances visual appeal. Hornwort offers several benefits, including oxygenating the water, absorbing excess nutrients, and providing habitat for fish and invertebrates. Its resilience and adaptability make it a beneficial addition.
Understanding Hornwort Reproduction
Hornwort does not produce true seeds like many plants. As a submerged aquatic plant, its primary methods of reproduction occur asexually. These methods include fragmentation and the formation of specialized structures called turions.
Fragmentation
Fragmentation involves pieces of the plant breaking off and growing into new plants. This can happen naturally due to water currents, fish activity, or when the plant becomes too dense. Each detached segment can develop into a full-sized hornwort specimen, making it an efficient way to spread.
Turions
Turions are dense, compact buds that hornwort forms, typically in response to unfavorable conditions such as colder temperatures or reduced light. These buds detach and can survive periods when the main plant might not. When conditions become favorable again, the turions sprout, developing into new hornwort plants.
Propagating Hornwort
Propagation for aquarists and pond keepers primarily involves fragmentation. The most effective way to propagate hornwort is through cuttings. This method ensures new plants with the same characteristics as the parent.
To propagate, select healthy stems and use sharp scissors to cut segments, ideally between 3 to 6 inches long. Introduce these cuttings to a new aquatic environment. They will readily grow, absorbing nutrients directly from the water column. While turions are a natural reproductive strategy, cuttings are more commonly used for propagation.
Acquiring and Introducing Hornwort
Obtaining hornwort involves purchasing live specimens. Common sources include local fish stores, where it is often sold in weighted bunches or as loose stems. Many online aquatic plant retailers also offer hornwort, shipping it directly to hobbyists.
Upon receiving hornwort, inspect it for pests or diseases. A brief quarantine in a separate container can prevent introducing unwanted organisms. Hornwort offers flexibility in how it can be introduced: it can float freely on the water surface, creating a natural canopy, or be gently anchored to the substrate using plant weights or by tucking it into gravel. Avoid burying the stems deeply, as this can lead to rot since hornwort does not develop true roots in the substrate.
Hornwort Care and Maintenance
Once established, hornwort is a low-maintenance aquatic plant, adaptable to various conditions. It thrives in moderate lighting, though it can tolerate lower light levels with slower growth. Hornwort prefers water temperatures between 59°F and 86°F (15°C to 30°C) and a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5, making it suitable for both tropical and coldwater setups.
Hornwort absorbs nutrients directly from the water column through its leaves, which contributes to its effectiveness in reducing nitrates and phosphates. This nutrient absorption often means additional fertilization is unnecessary, especially in tanks with fish. Due to its rapid growth, regular pruning or thinning is required to prevent overgrowth and shading other plants. Trimming also maintains plant health and ensures continued oxygenation and shelter for aquatic life.