Egeria densa (Anacharis or Brazilian waterweed)

Egeria densa (also called Anacharis or Brazilian waterweed) is a popular, fast-growing freshwater aquatic plant native to South America. It is widely used by beginners and schools because it is hardy, easy to grow, and great at producing oxygen and fighting algae.

Key Features

Appearance: Bright green, leafy stems with small leaves arranged in circles (whorls) around the stem.

Growth: Can float freely in the water or be planted in the gravel or substrate.

Size: Stems grow fast up to 40 to 100 cm long.

Care and Needs

Lighting: Thrives in bright light, but survives fine in low light.

Temperature: Prefers cooler water and does best below 28°C (82°F). High heat can cause the plant to melt or die back.

Water: Adapts to many water types, both hard and soft.

Benefits for Aquariums

Fights Algae: Absorbs extra food and waste (like nitrates) from the water so algae cannot grow.

Fish Shelter: Provides safe hiding spots for small fish and baby fish (fry).

Easy to Copy: You can cut a piece of the stem and replant it to grow a brand new plant.