CHRISTMAS MOSS

It can be grown submerged or immersed.

Christmas Moss is also known by its scientific name, Vesicularia Montagnei, and is a member of the Hypnaceae family of aquatic plants. Other common names for the plant include Xmas Moss, and, in Japan, the plant is called Brazillian Willow Moss.

Moss Vesicularia Montagnei is an aquatic moss that grows especially well when completely immersed in water. Apart from looking great in your aquarium, the plant provides a perfect hiding place for and source of food for small fish, fry, and invertebrates.

Origins

Christmas Moss is native to tropical Asia. The plant can also be found throughout Thailand, India, Japan, and the Philippines.

The plant is generally found growing underwater in creeks and streams or on shady riverbanks. Xmas Moss also naturally attaches itself to submerged tree boles, sunken branches, and rocks, and it can also grow free-floating.

As is the case with most other species of aquatic mosses, Christmas Moss has a rhizoid root-like system that enables the plant to take up the nutrients it requires through its stems and leaves. The plant prefers cool, flowing water with a wide temperature range of between 65o to 77o degrees Fahrenheit.

Water parameters

Christmas Moss grows in freshwater. The plant will not survive in brackish or saltwater environments.

The plant is happy in water with a fairly wide temperature range of between 65o to 77o degrees Fahrenheit. Place the moss relatively close to your filtration system flow, as it enjoys good water movement.

Like most aquarium mosses, Christmas Moss prefers fairly soft water with a pH level in the range between 5 and 7.5.

Fertilizer and CO2

Christmas Moss doesn’t necessarily need feeding to thrive, although adding liquid fertilizer and CO2 to the water will keep the moss healthy and accelerate the growth rate.

Lighting

Vesicularia montagnei is the perfect moss in aquarium conditions as it will survive in virtually all lighting conditions. However, the plant’s growth rate will ultimately be influenced by the amount of light it receives.

Low to medium amounts of light will result in slower growth, so ideally, brighter light will produce better results. That said, be careful not to expose the moss to bright sunlight for long periods of time, as that may harm the plants.