Madagascar Lace Plant Information

The Madagascar lace plant is one of the most dramatic of aquarium plants. This is in part because of its size, with many specimens boasting leaves two feet or more in length. Even more than its size, though, the plant's fame rests on the odd structure of its leaves. As the name suggests, the leaves are not solid but form a fine mesh, making a strikingly ghostly appearance. The lace plant is costly because of its rarity, and can be troublesome to grow.

Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase a rhizome for planting, rather than transplanting a full-grown plant. It will take a while for the rhizome to grow, but full-grown plants are easily damaged and much higher in cost.

    • 2

      Plant the rhizome in the central portion of your tank, since it will form the visual centerpiece. Press it gently into the substrate so it will stay put until it roots.

    • 3

      Maintain the water temperature in the high 60s to low 70s Fahrenheit. Give the plants fairly strong light, but with some shade. Duckweed works well at shading the lace plant and absorbing surplus nutrients that might otherwise stimulate algae growth, but you'll need to thin it every seven to 10 days.

    • 4

      Monitor the tank closely for algae growth, which tends to occur in the spaces on the plant's leaves, impairing its appearance and endangering its health. Keep a few algae eaters in the tank, or transfer them in and out periodically from other tanks to keep the algae in check.

    • 5

      Pinch off blossoms as they grow to keep the plant from dying back into dormancy. If you'd rather let them blossom and go to seed for breeding purposes, you'll need to give them a dormant period after seeding. Increase the water temperature by a few degrees during the dormant period, since in the wild it occurs during the summer's heat.

    • 6

      Propagate your lace plant by dividing the crowns when the new plant has established a few roots and leaves of its own.