How much light does Banana Plant need?

Medium light, around 30–60 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ of PAR. Watts are not comparable between fixtures; PAR is. If the manufacturer does not publish PAR, pick one band lower than the tank depth suggests.

Does Banana Plant need CO₂?

It is optional. Marked "optional": with CO₂ it grows faster and tighter, without it still does fine.

What water does Banana Plant want?

20–27 °C, pH 6–7.5, 2–10 dGH. At 8 dGH wide it is one of the more forgiving ranges.

How fast does Banana Plant grow, and where does it go?

Growth rate: slow. Placement: foreground / midground / specimen. Substrate: substrate optional, reaching about 10–20 cm. Difficulty: beginner.

G-02 / 10Freshwater

Banana Plant香蕉草

Nymphoides aquatica · Menyanthaceae

Its banana-shaped tuber half sits above the substrate and feeds through its roots, so it does not need a rich substrate.

Illustration to come

G-02 / 10 · Banana Plant Nymphoides aquatica

SpecificationsPlant atlas

Name: 香蕉草
Scientific name: Nymphoides aquatica
Family: Menyanthaceae
Origin: Still water and swamps of the southeastern United States (Florida and nearby)
Light: Medium light
PAR: 30–60
CO₂: Optional
Hardness: 2–10 dGH
Growth: Slow
Placement: Foreground / Midground / Specimen
Substrate: Substrate optional
Height: 10–20 cm
Level: Beginner

Water requirementsFreshwater

Temp.20–27 °C

pH6–7.5

Hardness2–10 dGH

Alkalinity1–6 dKH

Units: temperature in °C, hardness in German degrees (dGH / dKH), marine salinity as specific gravity at 25 °C, volume in litres. These are the values recorded for the species and do not follow the site unit switcher.

Growing notes

1Do not bury the banana tuber; lay it on the surface with a light press and it is fine, while full burial rots it.
2The tuber stores nutrients and shrinks and softens when the plant runs short, which means it is time for root or liquid fertiliser.
3Weak light shrinks the leaves and stretches the stalks, while medium light brings leaves five to eight centimetres across.
4It flowers white once it reaches the surface, so cut the long-stalked leaves if you want to keep it submersed.
5Above 28 °C for long periods the roots rot, and 20 to 26 °C is the safe band.

Frequently asked questions

How much light does Banana Plant need?: Medium light, around 30–60 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ of PAR. Watts are not comparable between fixtures; PAR is. If the manufacturer does not publish PAR, pick one band lower than the tank depth suggests.
Does Banana Plant need CO₂?: It is optional. Marked "optional": with CO₂ it grows faster and tighter, without it still does fine.
What water does Banana Plant want?: 20–27 °C, pH 6–7.5, 2–10 dGH. At 8 dGH wide it is one of the more forgiving ranges.
How fast does Banana Plant grow, and where does it go?: Growth rate: slow. Placement: foreground / midground / specimen. Substrate: substrate optional, reaching about 10–20 cm. Difficulty: beginner.