Utricularia Graminifolia

Utricularia graminifolia is a carnivorous plant of the bladderwort genus that is used as a carpet in the aquarium. It has no true roots; narrow, light green, grass-like leaves grow from thin shoots running in and over the substrate. Tiny bladders on the shoots catch microscopic organisms in the water by sucking them in. Under the right conditions it covers the substrate with a soft, light green carpet; however, because it is rootless it has difficulty holding onto the substrate and can easily float up after planting. It will not form a carpet without strong light, CO₂ and soft water.

• Without breaking the plant apart, plant it in walnut-sized clumps by pressing them into a fine-grained substrate.
• To keep the clumps from floating, they can be lightly covered with fine substrate; the dry start method makes it easier for them to take hold.

• Light: High.
• CO₂: Required.
• Water: Soft (GH 1–8), slightly acidic.
• Fertilizer: Light, regular liquid fertilizer; over-fertilizing increases the risk of algae.
• Trimming: As the carpet thickens it is trimmed from the top and thinned out; thick layers can lift off the substrate and float.