Nomafila recta – lemongrass

Aquarium enthusiasts favor Nomafila recta, also referred to as lemongrass, because of its vivid green leaves and ease of maintenance. This aquatic plant is useful for keeping an aquarium environment healthy in addition to being gorgeous.

Because lemongrass grows quickly, it’s a great choice for people who want to quickly fill their tanks with lush greenery. It is suited for both novice and expert aquarists because it can flourish in a range of water conditions.

Nomafila recta is not only aesthetically pleasing, but it also serves a functional purpose in aquariums by giving fish a place to live and by adding oxygen to the water. It is a standout plant in any aquatic environment because of its adaptability and resilience.

Lemongrass, or Nomafila recta, is a well-liked aquatic plant with vivid green leaves and low maintenance requirements that make it a great option for novice and expert aquarium owners alike. This adaptable plant gives fish the vital oxygenation and cover they need in addition to improving the aquarium’s aesthetic appeal. Lemongrass is a hardy addition to any freshwater setup, growing well in a variety of water conditions and helping to maintain a balanced and healthy aquarium environment.

Types of aquarium nomnafil – lemongrass

The genus Nomaphila was described by Blume in 1862. All representatives of the genus are natives of the tropical and subtropical zones of Africa and Asia. The number of species included in it is relatively small ~ 10. The exact number is difficult to determine, since many species have subspecies, and the similarity of plants with hygrophilas leads to some inaccuracies in determining species affiliation. It is worth noting that many botanists still do not recognize the existence of a separate genus Nomaphila, including all these plants in the genus Hygrophila. Hence such confusion in the classification.
In addition, due to the paludarium-pond forms of different nomaphilas, even greater confusion occurs. Of the nomaphilas, the most common aquarium plant is lemongrass, its correct name is straight nomaphila (Nomaphila stricta).

This plant was first described by Blume in 1826, then it was named Nomaphila corymbosa. The plant is widespread in the tropics of Southeast Asia. Nomaphila erecta is a large herbaceous plant that grows in damp marshy places, perfectly tolerating flooding and is able to grow almost constantly under water. The leaves are opposite and oriented crosswise. Therefore, thickets of nomaphila, if you look at them from above, form a regular geometric pattern. In fact, thanks to this, the plant received its generic name (nomos – law, order). The underwater leaves have a well-defined petiole. The leaf blade is broadly lanceolate, with a pointed tip, up to 12 centimeters long and up to 6 wide. The upper side is colored light green, the lower side is silvery-white.

Nomaphila thrive best in tropical (warm-water) aquariums with water that is at least 24 °C. The plant almost completely stops growing at temperatures below 22 °C. Nomaphyla can be maintained in water with any level of hardness, but in soft water the plant’s older leaves wither away rapidly. Two to three whorls of fully formed leaves remain on the stem. The leaf blade’s strength is significantly greater in hard water. The length of daylight hours and the intensity of lighting are critical factors in nomaphila maintenance. Artificial light sources include any kind of incandescent, fluorescent, or LED spotlight.

Picture of lemongrass nomaphila

It is best to keep nomaphila in large aquariums, where it can develop to its maximum size. It is preferable to plant these plants in a group, since they look less attractive alone. In a small aquarium, one plant can be a real decoration. Even under the most favorable conditions, lemongrass develops slowly underwater. Having reached the surface, lemongrass easily comes out into the air thanks to its strong stem. In an air environment, its growth noticeably accelerates. The leaves hardly change their shape, the color becomes darker, fluff forms on the leaf blade and on the stem. By these characteristic features, an experienced aquarist can easily distinguish a plant grown in an air environment. Under favorable conditions, the straight nomaphila also blooms. In the conditions of an indoor aquarium, the plant is propagated vegetatively – by cuttings. Without waiting for the formation of the root system, the apical cutting can be planted in the ground, deepening the lower whorl of leaves. You can leave the nomaphila cutting floating on the surface of the water until the moment of formation of roots in the axils of the lower whorl of leaves and only then proceed to planting. But the stem of a floating plant can become curved, since its top is directed towards the light source. This deformation cannot be corrected later due to the high strength of the stem. Growing and propagating nomaphila in a humid greenhouse or paludarium is not difficult, you just need to provide the plant with nutritious soil and bright light. A cutting taken from a paludarium can be planted directly into an aquarium without preliminary adaptation. After immersion in water, the plant will stop growing for a short time, and the old leaves will not last long.

Nomaphila longifolia

Picture of nomaphila longifolia, or lemongrass

Apart from the commonly known variety of nomaphila, which is lemongrass, hobbyists’ aquariums may also contain nomaphila longifolia, also known by its commercial name, Nomaphila sp. "Long leafed." This plant resembles Hygrophila angustifolia quite a bit on the outside. Sometimes even seasoned aquarium keepers are unable to tell them apart. The requirements for maintaining the plant are quite similar to those for lemongrass. However, because of its strongly elongated leaf blade, which barely overlaps the lower leaves, it requires less lighting. In medium-hard water with little light, the plant holds onto its lower leaves for a much longer period of time.

Picture of nomaphila longifolia, or lemongrass

As with lemongrass, Nomaphyla longifolia readily emerges into the air after reaching the water’s surface, but its appearance is drastically altered by the shortened leaves. intensify in density. The stem turns brown. Reproduction happens similarly to lemongrass. Plant cuttings moved from a paludarium to an aquarium quickly become acclimated to and begin growing.

Nomaphila dentata

Aquarists are far more familiar with the nomaphila dentata. Although the plant’s precise species is still unknown, it is registered under the trade name N.sp. "Densely leafed."

Its darker leaf blades and broader leaves set it apart from the preceding species. The margin of the leaf has a distinct serration that is still clearly visible in above-water leaves. The plant’s aesthetic qualities are impacted because the leaf whorls are positioned farther apart on the stem than in the preceding species. The maintenance requirements are comparable to the ones mentioned previously. This nomaphila starts to shrink and shed its old leaves, so it cannot be grown in soft water for an extended period of time.

The plant’s stems persist for a considerable amount of time after the tops gradually wither away, but growth does not restart. This nomaphylla develops quite satisfactorily in a tropical aquarium with medium-hard water and enough lighting, but it becomes completely boring in the presence of air. Because of this, the plant must be propagated by cutting off any stems that have reached the water’s surface. After that, the plant bushes out and produces a large number of shoots at the stem’s base. Long stems that are forced to the ground occasionally occur, but in these instances, the top grows the fastest and there is hardly any bushing. Similar to other species, this nomaphylla is propagated through cuttings.

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Lemongrass, or Nomafila recta, is a beautiful and adaptable plant that can significantly improve the aesthetics of your aquarium. Its towering, dense growth gives any tank a lush, natural feel, making it the ideal setting for your fish and other aquatic creatures.

Apart from its visual allure, Nomafila recta also has useful properties like enhancing water quality and giving fish cover. It is a great option for both novice and seasoned aquarists due to its simple maintenance requirements.

Lemongrass is a vibrant and healthy centerpiece that can grow in your aquarium with the correct conditions and care. By including this plant in your aquatic environment, you can give your underwater world a hint of the harmony and beauty of nature.

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