Hornwort Care Guide

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There are many reasons to introduce plants into your tank. From oxygenating the water to providing shelter, plants will keep the tank, and the fish much healthier.

Hornwort is one of the easiest freshwater plants to grow. This is demonstrated by its success in the wild where it has spread to every continent except Antarctica, after originating in North America. Its high tolerance to various water conditions makes it ideal for beginners, while its fast growth rate and ease of propagation mean a little will go a long way.

It can be used as either a floating plant or rooted in the substrate, giving you more freedom when designing the look of your aquarium. This also increases the range of freshwater fish that can benefit from it.

If you are looking for an easy, fast-growing plant then hornwort could be for you. Here is a brief summary of what you should expect.

Hornwort, or Ceratophyllum, is a popular freshwater aquarium plant. The number of species is uncertain. Over 300 species names have been published, but there are likely only 100-150 species due to misidentification.

The most common species for an aquarium is Ceratophyllum demersum.

Its hardy nature makes it ideal for beginners or those looking to introduce a non-fussy plant to their tank.

While being hardy is useful in an aquarium, in the wild it can cause problems. Its tolerance to a wide range of conditions, coupled with a fast growth rate, allows it to spread to new areas as an invasive species.

This has become a problem in places such as New Zealand where it is out-competing native plant species and disrupting hydroelectric power generation.

Another reason for hornwort’s success is that it has allelopathic abilities. This means that it can produce chemicals that prevent the growth of other species, leaving more space and nutrients for itself.

The achievements of this plant are demonstrated by the numerous locations it can be found across the globe – it has cosmopolitan distribution. This plant now exists on all continents except Antarctica. The popularity of this plant creates a high demand and as a result, it is stocked in many stores. Since this species grows rapidly, it can be produced in high densities very cheaply, so it is usually sold cheaply.

A few bunches of hornwort will cost in the range of $5-$10, but prices per plant will vary between retailers and depending on how many you buy at once.

~Benefits of Hornwort~

One of the main reasons that people add hornwort is its aesthetic. Adding plants to your tank increases the amount of color, whether it is at the top as a floating plant or grounded in the substrate.

It also gives your aquarium a new dynamic as it sways in the current. What people do not often consider is how it keeps your tank healthier.

As a plant, hornwort photosynthesizes. The main byproduct of photosynthesis is oxygen. As a result, it will oxygenate the tank for your fish. Furthermore, it provides areas of shelter for fish looking to escape each other or the light. Plants like this may be used as a nursery for fry as well; another great plant for this is java moss.

Occasionally they will shed some debris, but this will likely be used as food by scavenging fish.

Finally, it helps improve the quality of the water. It takes in small amounts of the waste that fish produce, as well as nitrogen compounds, keeping the water cleaner and lightening the workload for the filter. Lastly, the allelopathic abilities that we have already mentioned above, can inhibit the growth of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria). This is an alga that can quickly get out of control in conditions with too much light or lots of organic waste.