Lagarosiphon madagascariensis

Lagarosiphon madagascariensis is endemic to Madagascar, where it inhabits cool, clear lakes and rivers with soft, slightly acidic to neutral water. Its stems are more slender and delicate than the common L. major, with finer, spirally arranged recurved leaves that create a graceful, somewhat feathery appearance. It prefers cooler temperatures than tropical plants and does particularly well in subtropical setups or cool temperate tanks. While similar in habit to L. major it is less frequently available, making it a sought-after find for aquarists who want a refined oxygenating plant with a more delicate texture. Regular trimming maintains tidy, bushy growth.

Light: Medium (30–60 PAR); performs adequately under standard aquarium lighting. CO2: Beneficial; supplementation improves growth rate in soft-water conditions. Fertilisation: Light liquid fertiliser every 2 weeks; does not require root tabs as a water column feeder. Placement: Midground to background in cool planted displays; effective in Madagascar biotope setups. Propagation: Tip cuttings of 10–15 cm root readily; replant and discard old woody stems.