Species Common Hornwort
green-brown foliage

Common Hornwort

Ceratophyllum demersum

Also Known As - Coontail,Coon's Tail
Common Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum) is a submerged aquatic plant that is native to many countries, including the United States. Its stems grow to a height of 12 to 20 inches and its feathery leaves provide excellent habitat for many species of freshwater organisms, making it a valuable component of freshwater systems. Hornwort is an excellent water purifier, as it removes unwanted amounts of nitrates and phosphates. It can also help keep the water clear of debris. Common Hornwort requires no maintenance and will thrive in a variety of water conditions, including cold, warm and polluted water. Hornwort is an easily-acceptable background plant, and is suitable for all kinds of aquariums both large and small.

Watering:

Minimal

Propagation:

Division,Cutting,Seed Propagation,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

3

Flowers:

Flowers

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Growth Rate:

High

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Easy

watering

Common Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum) should generally be watered every few days, or as often as water levels in the tank allow. As Ceratophyllum demersum is a submerged plant, make sure to reduce the amount of water you add if the water level appears to be too high. This species prefers to be consistently moist, but not waterlogged. Adjust water levels to approximately 3-5 inches, and refill as needed. When watering, make sure to find a balance between not enough water (which can cause the plant to dry up and die) and too much water (which can lead to mold and root rot). In addition, when water levels are kept too low, oxygen levels decrease in the tank and can lead to poor plant health.

sunlight

Common Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum) prefers indirect full-intensity sunlight or part-shade. The best amount of sun exposure is around 3 to 4 hours of direct sunlight per day. During the peak of summer, however, avoid direct intense sunlight as the leaves may scorch and wilt due to high heat. This plant species does not fare well when left in direct sun for extended periods of time.

pruning

Common Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum) does not require frequent or intense pruning. In fact, light pruning is recommended only once or twice a year. If pruning is necessary, it should be done in early spring before new growth emerges, or in late fall before colder temperatures set in. During pruning, it is best to leave some of the foliage intact for protection, only removing the larger outer branches of the plant. This will help keep the plant healthy and help encourage new growth.

Hardiness Map