Hedge Hyssop

Gratiola viscidula

stem plant midground foreground

Pennell

Other scientific names:Gratiola anagallis, Gratiola shortii, Gratiola virginica, Gratiola viscidula shortii, Gratiola viscidula typica, Gratiola viscidula viscidula

Short stiff leaves that give the stems a spiky look — easy to recognise and unlike anything else at the front of a tank. Trimmed low it turns into a cushion, left alone it stands as a small bush.

Light: medium
Difficulty: medium
Height: 3 – 10 cm

Leaf colourgreen

Plant typestem plant

Growth rateslow

CO₂ demandmedium

Tolerates lightmedium – high

Placementmidground, foreground

Propagationcuttings, division +1

Grows emersedyes

Appearance

Narrow pointed leaves set close along thin stems 3–10 cm tall, light green, standing out at angles rather than lying flat. The stems branch readily, so a group looks dense.

Keeping

Moderate demands and slow growth: it wants clean water and good light, and carbon dioxide helps. The slowness is an advantage at the front of the tank — the shape stays where you cut it for a long time.

Placement

The front or middle of the tank. Cut low it becomes a carpet; left alone it makes a rounded cushion.

Propagation

By cuttings: cut a shoot and plant it. Dense clumps can be pulled apart.

The same plant with a different look: light, water and care are shared with the species.

Other varieties: Gratiola viscidula 1 2 GROW