Description
Florida Ruffle “Green Hedge” (Alternanthera sp.)
To achieve the best results with Florida Ruffle “Green Hedge” in a submerged aquarium setup, focus on strong root nutrition and strategic placement. Because it is a heavy root feeder and grows relatively slowly compared to other stems, a structured routine ensures it remains lush and free of algae.
Placement & Aquascaping
- Midground Position: Plant it in the midground or foreground. It grows densely but stays relatively compact (usually under 6-8 inches submerged), making it an excellent bush-like filler.
- Group Planting: Insert individual stems about 1 to 1.5 inches apart. Planting them too close blocks light from reaching the lower leaves, causing them to rot and drop off.
Nutrient & Carbon Needs
- Substrate: Use a nutrient-rich aquasoil. If you use plain sand or gravel, you must bury aquarium root tabs directly underneath the roots every 2 to 3 months. [1]
- CO2 Injection: While not strictly mandatory for survival, supplemental CO2 injection makes a massive difference. It accelerates growth, prevents melting, and keeps the ruffled leaves exceptionally crisp and bright green.
- Liquid Carbon: If you do not run a pressurized CO2 system, dosing a liquid carbon supplement daily helps deter opportunistic algae from growing on its slow-growing leaves.
Maintenance & Algae Prevention
- Algae Control: Because this plant grows at a moderate pace, it is highly susceptible to Green Dust Algae or Black Beard Algae (BBA) if your tank’s nutrients and light are unbalanced. Keep your lighting period restricted to 8 hours maximum if you do not inject CO2.
- Trimming: When the stems grow too tall, cut them cleanly with sharp aquascaping scissors just above a leaf node. Re-plant the tops directly into the substrate to expand your hedge.
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