Floating Club-rush
Isolepis fluitans · Cyperaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant floating club-rush: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Common name
- Floating Spike-rush, Dwarf Hairgrass
- Family
- Cyperaceae
- Type
- Perennial aquatic/semi-aquatic herbaceous plant
- Adult size
- 15 to 30 cm in height
- Foliage
- Persistent, fine and thread-like
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Moderate (0 to 5 °C minimum)
- Origin
- Tropical and subtropical regions
Care
Watering
Keep the substrate constantly moist to wet: this plant thrives in aquatic or humid environments. Ideally, grow it in a paludarium or aquarium, or in a pot placed in a saucer of water. Dry spells are poorly tolerated.
Light exposure
Favour bright, indirect light or partial shade. It tolerates low-light environments but remains more vigorous with 8 to 12 hours of daily light. Avoid overly intense direct rays that can scorch the fine foliage.
Substrate and conditions
Use rich, peaty soil or soil enriched with organic matter, kept very moist at all times. In an aquarium or paludarium, fine potting mix or aquatic substrate promotes rooting. Neutral to slightly acidic pH is ideal.
Fertilization
Apply diluted fertilizer every 15 to 30 days during the growth period (spring-summer). In an aquarium, regular supply of micronutrients and macronutrients supports fine foliage growth. Reduce fertilization in winter.
Pruning and maintenance
Pinch off the tips to encourage bushier growth. Regularly remove yellowed or damaged leaves. Divide clumps every 1 to 2 years to rejuvenate the plant and propagate new plants.
Pests and diseases
Rarely susceptible to pests in well-managed aquatic environments. In humid cultivation, watch for rot if aeration is insufficient or if water stagnates without renewal. Promote good air circulation to prevent fungal infections.
Did you know?
Isolepis fluitans literally means 'floating rush' and has been one of the most popular aquatic plants among aquarists for decades. In Southeast Asia, it naturally colonizes humid shoreline areas and marshes, where it forms dense mats that stabilise alluvial banks and provide shelter for aquatic microfauna.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Blue sedgeCarex panicea
- Spring sedgeCarex caryophyllea
- Pendulous sedgeCarex pendula
- Bird's-foot SedgeCarex ornithopoda
- Gray's sedgeCarex grayi
- Strict sedgeCarex stricta
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.