This plant is suitable for both small and large tanks. Japanese bittercress looks particularly good in natural aquariums, as it climbs elegantly over roots and stones.
Genus:
Japanese bittercress belongs to the Cardamine genus.
Type:
This is the species Cardamine lyrata.
Family:
Cardamine lyrata belongs to the Brassicaceae family. These are called cruciferous vegetables.
Hometown:
The plant comes from East Asia. More precisely from China, Japan, Korea and from Asian parts of Russia.
Light:
The light requirement of the plant is medium to high. However, the pool should be sufficiently lit. The plant otherwise develops much more delicate stems. In addition, the leaves do not grow particularly large in low light.
Temperature:
The plant feels comfortable at a temperature between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius.
Temperature affects the appearance and growth of Japanese bittercress. Water that is not too warm is optimal for the plant. If the temperature is too high, the Cardamine lyrata can shoot up. In this case, the plant forms only very small leaves.
Growth:
Cardamine lyrata is characterized by very fast growth. This makes the plant wonderfully suited to utilizing superfluous nutrients in the water and thus preventing excessive algae formation.
Cardamine lyrata grows very densely and serves to cover the ground. It can reach a height of up to 60 cm. Therefore, there is sometimes a risk that the Japanese bittercress will overgrow other plants in the tank. To prevent this, the plant should be trimmed regularly.
pH:
The recommended pH value is between 6 and 8.
Degree of hardness:
The plant tolerates soft to hard water.
CO2:
A gift of Co2 is not absolutely necessary. However, this can support growth.
propagation:
The plant forms many side shoots. It is easy to propagate beyond that. This is also possible with cuttings. These quickly form new roots.
Difficulty:
Cardamine lyrata is originally a swamp plant. Therefore, it is not particularly demanding and is very easy to cultivate.
Location in the aquarium:
The Japanese bittercress can be used anywhere in the tank due to its ground-covering and climbing growth.
batra3x, Cardamine lyrata, CC BY 2.0
Look
Cardamine lyrata forms delicate stems and leaves. The stems are reminiscent of tendrils. The leaves grow horizontally, shine in a light green and are kidney-shaped.
distribution
The plant comes from East Asia. It is native to Japan, Korea, China and Asian parts of Russia. There it grows in humid areas and in swamps.
The Japanese bittercress usually spreads via rampant side shoots.
husbandry conditions
Cardamine lyrata is quite easy to grow. The plant grows at a pH between 6 and 8 and does well in both soft and hard water.
Japanese bittercress prefers colder water. A temperature range between 18 and 20 degrees Celsius is ideal. The plant does not tolerate temperatures above 24 degrees Celsius very well. In winter it is also advisable to lower the water temperature a little.
particularities
Cardamine lyrata can be used as a pond plant in summer. However, the plant is not hardy in the pond.
The Japanese bittercress is a swamp plant and is therefore particularly suitable for planting in humid terrariums.