Water Hedge

Water hedge looks deceptively simple but grows anything but easily. Its narrow, bright green leaves, paired along a thin stem, form a dense hedge when planted in a group — so fine the plant reads as moss on a stalk until you look closely.

Didiplis diandra is not a beginner plant. It requires strong light — under low light the lower stem sheds leaves rapidly and the plant becomes a bare stalk with a tuft at the top. CO₂ injection at 20 to 40 mg/l is necessary to keep it growing steadily and maintain leaf density from top to bottom.

Temperature between 22 and 26 °C with pH 5 to 7 in soft water produces the best results. A nutrient-rich substrate and consistent fertilisation — especially iron and nitrate — prevent the leaves from turning pale or yellow. It responds quickly to any deficiency, which makes it a useful indicator plant for aquarium nutrient balance.

Propagation is by top cuttings: trim the upper 5 to 8 cm and replant into the substrate. It can grow emersed on moist substrate and produces small inconspicuous flowers above the waterline. It is not winter hardy.