How to Trim Aquarium Anacharis

Anacharis, also called water weed, is a popular species of aquarium plant. This plant is one of the fastest-growing aquarium plants and it grows easily, which makes it an excellent plant for beginners. Because anacharis grows so quickly, it is necessary to prune or trim it back to prevent the plant from taking over the aquarium and blocking out light. Trimming aquarium anacharis is a simple task and the trimmings can be used to start new plants.

Things You'll Need

  • Anacharis plant
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Instructions

    • 1

      Plant bunches of anacharis in your aquarium, spacing the bunches about two inches apart. If you have purchased your anacharis from a retail outlet, you may need to first remove the rubber band and metal band wrapped around the stems to keep them together. Plant the bunches in gravel or allow them to float on the surface of the water.

    • 2

      Provide your anacharis with several hours of full-spectrum lighting per day. While anacharis will grow in almost any light, it will grow most quickly under bright light.

    • 3

      Trim the anacharis when it becomes too tall for the aquarium or to create new plants. Pinch off or cut the top six inches from a strand of anacharis and either discard it or plant it in the substrate to begin a new plant.

    • 4

      Continue to trim back your anacharis to prevent it from taking over the aquarium. Snip off any old or dying stems and remove them from the aquarium before they begin to rot.