Staurogyne Repens
Plant Profile
Low-growing, spade-shaped green leaves form dense, bushy carpet mats that make Staurogyne Repens one of the most popular foreground and midground plants for aquascaping. Reaching a low-profile height of 1 to 3 inches, its stiff, branching stems stay close to the substrate, making it ideal for filling gaps around hardscape bases, creating foreground lawns, or trimming into clean midground hedges. While adaptable in standard conditions, providing moderate to high lighting along with pressurized CO2 keeps growth compact and prevents stems from stretching vertically.
Key Features & Benefits
- Low-growing leaves branch horizontally to form dense foreground carpets and midground hedges.
- Popular aquascaping species valued for filling gaps around rocks and driftwood bases.
- Adapts smoothly to fully submerged aquariums or emersed growth in humid terrariums.
Care & Planting Instructions
- Prep the plant by removing it from the pot and clearing all rockwool from the roots.
- Use fine-tip pinsettes to plant individual stems or small portions 0.5 to 1 inch apart into your aquarium soil to encourage horizontal branching across the substrate.
- Provide medium to high lighting and pressurized CO2 injection; consistent liquid fertilization rich in macro and micro nutrients supports thick leaf development and prevents leaf yellowing.
- Maintain stable water parameters to avoid leaf shedding or stem melt during the initial transition period.
- To propagate, trim vertical stem tops with sharp straight shears and replant the cuttings directly into your aquarium soil to extend your carpet coverage. Read our trimming & propagation guide for details.
Quick Facts
Listed information should be treated as general guidelines only. Team Buce Plant encourages you to do thorough research to ensure healthy growth!
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Staurogyne repens |
| Common Name(s) | Staurogyne Repens, S. Repens |
| Family | Acanthaceae |
| Plant Type / Taxonomy | Aquatic Stem / Foreground Plant |
| Care Difficulty | Medium |
| Light Requirement | Medium to High |
| CO2 Requirement | Recommended (Essential for compact carpet growth) |
| Placement / Usage | Foreground Carpet / Midground Border & Hardscape Accent |
| Height / Size | 1–3”+ |
| Growth Rate | Moderate to Fast |
| Water Parameters | pH 6.0–7.5 |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cuttings (Trim stem tops or side shoots and replant) |
| Origin | South America (Brazil) |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I prep potted Staurogyne Repens before planting?
Remove the plastic pot and unwrap the rockwool media surrounding the roots under room-temperature water. Separate the plant into individual stems or small portions and insert the roots into your aquarium soil using fine pinsettes.
2. Why is my Staurogyne Repens growing tall instead of forming a carpet?
Staurogyne Repens stretches vertically toward the surface when light levels are too low or when stems are planted too closely together. Increasing light intensity and pruning the tall stem tops encourages low horizontal side shoots across your aquarium soil.
3. How do I trim Staurogyne Repens to maintain a dense carpet?
Use sharp aquascaping shears to trim the stem tops down to 1–2 inches from the substrate. Regular top trimming prompts the lower leaf nodes to sprout multiple lateral shoots, building a tight, bushy bush along the foreground.