{"product_id":"heteranthera-zosterifolia-tissue-culture","title":"Heteranthera zosterifolia - Tissue Culture","description":"\u003ch3\u003eHeteranthera zosterifolia: The Star Grass\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Star Grass, or Heteranthera zosterifolia, is a stunningly beautiful and fast-growing stem plant\/tissue culture native to the marshy areas and slow-moving rivers of South America (primarily Brazil). It gets its popular common name from the sharp, light-green, grass-like leaves that are arranged in a distinctive star-like pattern around the stem nodes, especially under intense light.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis plant is highly valued in the aquascaping world for its versatility. It can be utilized in the midground as a dense, bushy group or allowed to grow tall in the background. Its growth habit—compact and horizontal versus thin and vertical—is heavily influenced by lighting and CO₂. With high light and supplemental CO₂, it grows aggressively, forms abundant side shoots, and develops a prized, full, and manicured look. This fast growth makes it an excellent consumer of excess nutrients, helping to combat algae.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne notable behavior is its use as a nutrient indicator. If the leaves begin to turn transparent or pale, it often signals a lack of Nitrogen (NO\u003csub\u003e3\u003c\/sub\u003e) in the water column. If it is allowed to grow above the water surface in an open-top aquarium, the Star Grass will often reward the aquarist with small, delicate blue flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u0026lt;\u0026gt;\n\u003ch4\u003eCare \u0026amp; Planting:\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLighting:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eMedium to High\u003c\/strong\u003e. Moderate light is necessary for survival, but high light is required for the best coloration, density, and that iconic \"bushy\" appearance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCO₂ Supplementation:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eRecommended\u003c\/strong\u003e. While it can survive without CO₂, injection promotes significantly faster, lusher growth and reduces the risk of melting or becoming sparse (leggy) in moderate light.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFertilization:\u003c\/strong\u003e Water Column Feeder. As an extremely fast grower, it demands a constant supply of both macro and micronutrients. Liquid fertilizers are essential for long-term health and to prevent signs of nutrient deficiency.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting:\u003c\/strong\u003e H. zosterifolia is a Stem Plant. Plant individual or small groups of stems into the substrate, allowing for some space between them. Do not glue to hardscape.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePruning:\u003c\/strong\u003e Essential and Frequent. This plant will grow quickly to the water surface. Regular, aggressive trimming (sometimes weekly in high-tech tanks) is required to maintain its desired shape, encourage lateral branching, and prevent the lower portions from being shaded and melting. Cuttings can be easily replanted for propagation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u0026lt;\u0026gt;\n\u003ch3\u003eQuick Facts\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Heteranthera zosterifolia\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePrimary Common Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Star Grass\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOther Common Names:\u003c\/strong\u003e Stargrass, Water Stargrass\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e South America (Brazil, Paraguay)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMax Height:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6-20 inches (15−50 cm)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fast\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDifficulty:\u003c\/strong\u003e Easy to Moderate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCO₂:\u003c\/strong\u003e Recommended (Medium)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater Temperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 68\u003cspan\u003e° \u003c\/span\u003eto 82\u003cspan\u003e°\u003c\/span\u003eF (20\u003cspan\u003e° \u003c\/span\u003eto 28\u003cspan\u003e°\u003c\/span\u003eC)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003epH Range:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5.0 - 8.0 (Prefers slightly acidic)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlacement:\u003c\/strong\u003e Midground to Background (highly versatile)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"JBJ","offers":[{"title":"Each","offer_id":67705434702044,"sku":"jfk1791986573967","price":6.79,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0834\/1422\/1020\/files\/heteranthera-zosterifolia---tissue-culture_1.webp?v=1791986579","url":"https:\/\/calmhemwear.shop\/products\/heteranthera-zosterifolia-tissue-culture","provider":"My Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}