Dwarf Sagittaria

About

A rarely predictable foreground plant, Sagittaria subulata hails from South America and is one of the more forgiving options for planted tank newcomers. Under typical conditions it forms tidy, grass-like clusters through short runners, spreading steadily across the foreground when individual plants are spaced a couple of centimeters apart. The leaves are narrow and upright, giving it a clean, lawn-like appearance that works well at the front of almost any aquascape. The catch, and it is worth knowing about upfront, is that mature plants can occasionally decide to stretch dramatically tall under certain conditions, sometimes reaching heights that would suit the background far better than the front. If that happens, relocating the plant often encourages it to settle back into a more compact form, so it is not a crisis. Sagittaria subulata will also sometimes send a slender flower stem all the way to the surface, producing small white flowers just above the waterline, which is a charming bonus when it happens. It manages well under low light without CO2 supplementation becoming a strict necessity, though growth will be more vigorous with it. Overall this is a solid, low-maintenance choice for anyone wanting a natural grass effect without a lot of fuss.