Marsilea drummondii Nardoo Potted

This potted Marsilea drummondii specimen provides an immediately plantable, established clump of Australian Nardoo that can be divided and planted directly into aquarium foreground substrate or placed at the moist edge of a paludarium or pond shelf. The potted format ensures the plant arrives with a well-developed root system and actively growing runner tips, providing the fastest possible establishment into the substrate.

M. drummondii is one of the most forgiving carpeting plants available for low-tech aquariums: it grows in low light without CO2, tolerates a wide range of water conditions and temperatures, and spreads steadily via runners at a manageable pace without the explosive growth that can overwhelm small tanks. Its leaves are slightly broader and more hairy than those of M. hirsuta, giving the carpet a distinctly fuzzy, soft texture.

For aquarists who find Hemianthus callitrichoides too demanding or Glossostigma too fast, Marsilea drummondii is the answer — a truly low-maintenance, characterful foreground that rewards minimal effort with a genuinely attractive result.

Light: Low to medium; one of the best carpeting plants for low-tech, low-light setups. CO2: Not required; spreads satisfactorily in nutrient-adequate substrate without supplementation. Fertilisation: Root tabs every 10–12 weeks; lean substrate is fine for this undemanding species. Placement: Foreground carpet; press runner sections 1 cm into substrate 3–4 cm apart and allow to spread. Propagation: Divide the mat and replant runner sections; each section with a node establishes independently.