Banana Plant for Aquariums, Nymphoides aquatica with Distinctive Green Tubers and Floating Lily Pads
The Banana Plant brings distinctive green, banana-shaped tubers and rounded, heart-shaped leaves to an aquarium. Nymphoides aquatica can float freely or rest on the substrate, making it easy to create a surface canopy or a focal point closer to the bottom of the tank.
Use it in a community aquarium, low-tech aquascape or paludarium under moderate light. Its stems can reach the surface and develop lily pad-like leaves; occasional pruning helps keep that canopy from shading plants below. Supplemental CO2 is not required.
Rest the tubers on top of the substrate, pressing them no deeper than 1/4 inch if needed. Keep the water movement gentle and allow the plant's roots to anchor naturally.
Features
- Banana-shaped tuber clusters create a distinctive aquarium focal point.
- Flexible placement at the foreground, midground or water surface.
- Rounded, heart-shaped leaves can develop into a surface lily pad canopy.
- Easy care with moderate light and no required supplemental CO2.
- Trimmed floating leaves can develop roots and new tubers for propagation.
Specifications
- Scientific name: Nymphoides aquatica
- Common names: Banana Plant; Banana Lily
- Family: Menyanthaceae
- Plant form: Floating plant / tuberous lily
- Listed height: 4–6 inches; stems can reach the surface
- Care difficulty: Easy
- Light requirement: Moderate
- CO2 requirement: Not required
- Placement: Foreground, midground or surface lily pad canopy
- Water pH: 6.0–7.5
- Water temperature: 68–80°F (20–27°C)
- Planting depth: Rest tubers on the substrate; do not bury more than 1/4 inch
- Water movement: Calm and gentle
- Propagation: Division or sprouting from trimmed floating leaves
- Origin: Southeastern United States
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I bury the Banana Plant's green tubers?
Keep the Banana Plant's tubers on top of the substrate or press them no deeper than 1/4 inch. Fully burying them can cause rot; the plant can send roots down into the substrate to anchor itself.
Can the Banana Plant grow floating at the surface?
Yes, the Banana Plant can float freely at the water surface. It can develop downward-growing roots and surface leaves that form a miniature lily pad canopy.
Does Nymphoides aquatica need added CO2?
Nymphoides aquatica does not require supplemental CO2. Provide moderate light, gentle water movement and water within the listed 68–80°F temperature and pH 6.0–7.5 ranges.
How can I keep the Banana Plant from shading other plants?
Prune the Banana Plant's surface leaves occasionally to keep light reaching plants below. For a shorter appearance near the substrate, trim long surface-bound stems at the base.
Can I grow another Banana Plant from a trimmed leaf?
Yes, a trimmed Banana Plant leaf can develop roots and new tubers when left floating on the water surface. Allow the new growth to form at the leaf base before establishing the new plant.