Eriocaulon sp. 'Vietnam' in pot

Eriocaulon sp. "Vietnam" is a relatively new but already very popular aquarium plant in Europe, which has proven to be much easier to keep than many other Eriocaulon species in the aquarium hobby. Originally discovered in the Vietnamese province of Thanh Hoa, this plant has not yet been identified as a species, but shows great potential for use in aquariums.

With a height of around 15-30 cm and broad, medium-green, overhanging leaves, it looks similar to Eriocaulon sp. "Goias". It is robust and thrives even in medium light levels. Its adaptability to hard water is remarkable, which sets it apart from other, more demanding Eriocaulon species. However, a nutrient-rich substrate and a CO₂ concentration of at least 20 mg/l are conducive to its optimal growth.

Over time, Eriocaulon sp. "Vietnam forms dense, grass-like bushes of multiple leaf rosettes that can be easily divided to propagate the plant. In addition, submerged inflorescences occasionally appear, bearing adventitious plants that can be separated and planted after rooting.

In aquascaping, Eriocaulon sp. "Vietnam can be used in a similar way to Blyxa japonica, either as a meadow-like stand in the middle ground or as decorative, scattered bushes between hardscape elements. Unlike similar rosette plants such as Sagittaria subulata or Helanthium bolivianum forms, it does not form runners, which makes it easy to care for and control. Thanks to its robustness and versatility, Eriocaulon sp. "Vietnam deserves to be widely used in the aquarium hobby.