Mayaca Sellowiniana
Plant Profile
Mayaca Sellowiniana is a rare and finely structured aquatic stem plant native to the pristine, soft-water wetlands and riverways of South America. Belonging to the Mayacaceae family and was historically confused with Rotala sp. 'Nanjenshan', this decorative species features narrow, needle-like foliage that grows densely along supple central stems. Under medium to high lighting and clean water conditions, it forms tight, feathery green shoots that bring extraordinary visual texture and soft movement to aquascapes. Reaching a height of 5 to 10 inches, its compact habit makes it a versatile choice for midground groupings or background hedges in both nano tanks and large display setups.
Key Features & Benefits
- Fine, needle-like foliage forms dense, fluffy green shoots for soft texture and visual depth.
- Fast-growing stem habit easily branches when trimmed to build thick, rolling midground bushes.
- Versatile and decorative species that provides excellent contrast against broad-leaved or red aquatic plants.
Care & Planting Instructions
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Remove lead weight and remove cotton wrap (or foam) surrounding the base, then strip the lower inch of foliage so bare stems anchor cleanly into soil without rotting.
- Use fine-tip pinsettes to insert individual stems 1 inch apart into aquarium soil.
- Provide medium-to-high lighting and clean water conditions; while adaptable, supplying pressurized CO2 injection and regular liquid fertilization rich in iron and micronutrients promotes rapid growth and prevents leaf paling.
- Maintain soft, slightly acidic water parameters and avoid sudden parameter shifts to prevent stem melting or leaf shedding.
- To propagate, trim main stem tops with sharp straight shears and replant trimmings directly into the substrate. 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 | Mayaca sellowiana / Mayaca sellowiniana |
| Common Name(s) | Mayaca Sellowiniana, Bog Moss |
| Family | Mayacaceae |
| Plant Type / Taxonomy | Aquatic Stem Plant |
| Care Difficulty | Medium |
| Light Requirement | Medium to High |
| CO2 Requirement | Recommended (Medium to High for dense needle shoots) |
| Placement / Usage | Foreground / Midground Bushing |
| Height / Size | 5–10”+ |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Water Parameters | pH 4.5–7.0 (Soft acidic water preferred) |
| Propagation Method | Cuttings (Cut stem tops or lateral shoots and replant) |
| Origin | South America |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I prep bunched Mayaca Sellowiniana before planting?
Remove the lead weight or metal band along with the foam wrap surrounding the lower roots. Inspect the base of the stems, gently rinse away any debris in room-temperature water, and snip off any bruised stem bases before inserting individual shoots into substrate using pinsettes.
2. Why are the leaf tips of my Mayaca Sellowiniana turning pale or yellow?
Like many fine-leaved stem plants, Mayaca Sellowiniana is sensitive to iron deficiencies. Supplying a complete liquid micro-fertilizer rich in iron, along with acidic aquasoil and soft water, will restore vibrant lime-green needle foliage.
3. How do I maintain a bushy growth habit with Mayaca Sellowiniana?
Because Mayaca Sellowiniana grows rapidly, routine topping with sharp aquascaping shears is required. Trimming the main stem encourages lateral side shoots to sprout, doubling stem density and forming a dense, fluffy hedge over time.