About the species

Shinnersia rivularis 'Weiss-Grün' is recognised by its white leaf veins, which draw a clear pattern against the light green foliage. The colour mutation was discovered at the Dennerle plant nursery and has been a classic in European aquariums ever since. The stems grow 30–60 centimetres long and up to ten centimetres wide, and growth is fast — it reaches the surface in no time. High temperatures, on the other hand, are not to its liking.

Facts

• Latin name: Shinnersia rivularis 'Weiss-Grün'
• Plant type: Stem plant
• Origin: Cultivated variety
• Height: 10–30 cm
• Growth rate: Fast
• Position: Background

Light requirement

Medium light requirement. Reckon on around 0.5 W per litre or a modern mid-range LED unit. Too little light gives sparse, stretched shoots and pale leaves, while the right amount keeps the plant compact and richly coloured.

CO₂ & nutrition

Added CO₂ is recommended — Tropica reckons 6–14 mg/l as a medium requirement. The plant can be grown without, but then grows more slowly and loses some of its colour. Supplement with liquid fertiliser weekly and keep iron and potassium levels up.

Planting

Split the bunch and set the stems one by one, about two centimetres into the substrate and two to three centimetres apart. Removing the lowest leaves first stops them rotting in the substrate. A group of five to ten stems looks far better straight away than single plants.

Carefully remove the pot and rinse the rock wool off the roots before planting — leftover rock wool can otherwise hinder rooting.

Care & propagation

Top the plant when it reaches the height you want and replant the cuttings — that propagates it and gives a denser group at the same time. Trim regularly so light reaches the lower leaves, and discard the old lower sections once they start thinning out.

Position in the aquarium

Given its mature height it belongs at the back or along the sides, where it forms a dense wall of greenery and hides equipment. In a smaller aquarium it can also be used as a solitaire in one corner.

Difficulty level

🟡 Moderate — wants stable lighting and regular fertilisation to look its best.

Delivery format

Delivered as a pot grown submerged, with the roots in rock wool. The pot holds several plants or stems that can be divided and planted separately.

Recommendation

A fast grower that draws plenty of nutrients out of the water, which makes it useful in a newly started aquarium. On its own it easily gets leggy, so plant at least five stems together and pinch off the tops regularly.