Egeria najas

Egeria najas is native to South America, where it inhabits rivers, streams, and lakes from southern Brazil to Argentina. Its leaves are noticeably narrower and more finely textured than those of E. densa, giving the plant an altogether more delicate and graceful appearance while sharing the same robust, easy-going nature. In the aquarium it forms long, sinuous stems that sway gently in water movement, creating a naturalistic, feathery backdrop. Like E. densa it grows rapidly and absorbs nutrients vigorously, helping to maintain water quality. Its finer texture makes it an excellent soft spawning medium for fine-leaved egg-scatterers. It tolerates a broad range of temperatures and water parameters.

Light: Medium (30–60 PAR); tolerates lower light with slightly reduced density. CO2: Not required; thrives on ambient dissolved CO2. Fertilisation: Minimal water column feeding; dilute all-in-one liquid fertiliser every 2 weeks. Placement: Background as loose bunches; finer texture pairs beautifully with broad-leaved midground plants. Propagation: Any stem cutting roots quickly; replant trimmings immediately to maintain full stems.