Vesicularia ferriei 'Weeping Moss'

Underwater it is recognised by its hanging, fan-branching shoots, resembling a weeping willow. The leaf shape and relatively wide cells recall Christmas Moss, but the leaves do not end in a sharply pointed tip; instead they narrow gradually and stay relatively blunt. Other Vesicularia species can also hang slightly, but not as markedly. Under very dim light the growth becomes more horizontal.

Difficulty medium, as in the species: growth slow, light from dim to strong, CO₂ 20–40 mg/l. Propagated by division.

Tied to hardscape, nano aquarium.

It is thought to have been introduced from China and identified as Vesicularia ferriei; in the wild the species also grows in southern Japan — creeping over wet, sand-covered rocks, damp banks and moist ground by streams. It first became popular among hobbyists and aquascapers in Asia, and thanks to its modest requirements, including for light, and its decorative look, it quickly caught on in European aquariums too. Getting the true 'Weeping Moss' is not simple: other mosses without the typical hanging growth are often sold under this name.