Glossostigma Elatinoides - Tissue Culture

Glossostigma Elatinoides: The Classic Aquascaping Carpet

Glossostigma elatinoides, commonly known as Glosso, this tissue culture is one of the most popular and classic foreground carpeting plants in the world of aquascaping. It was popularized by the late, legendary aquascaper, Takashi Amano. Native to Australia and New Zealand, this tiny aquatic plant is prized for its ability to form a dense, lush, bright-green lawn or carpet on the substrate.

The plant features small, oval-shaped leaves that grow on runners, spreading horizontally across the aquarium floor. To achieve its signature compact, low-growing carpet, Glosso demands high light and CO₂ supplementation. In low-light conditions or without CO₂, the plant will "reach" for the light, resulting in a thin, leggy, and unattractive vertical growth habit.

Due to its specific and intense requirements, this tissue culture is generally considered a Moderate to Difficult plant to cultivate successfully.

Cultivation & Requirements:

• Lighting: Requires High Light Intensity (30-50 PAR or 2-3 watts per gallon). Insufficient light causes the plant to grow tall and leggy. A lighting period of 8-12 hours per day is recommended.
• CO2 Injection: Highly Recommended or Required for optimal horizontal growth and a dense carpet. Target CO₂ levels are typically between 20-30 ppm. While it can survive without CO₂, it will not form a compact carpet and growth will be significantly slower.
• Substrate: A Nutrient-Rich Substrate (like aquasoil) is essential for root health and to provide the necessary macro and micronutrients. Root tabs and liquid fertilizers rich in Iron and other micronutrients are beneficial to maintain vibrant green color and prevent yellowing.
• Planting: To speed up carpeting, separate large clumps into tiny individual plantlets or small nodes and plant them 1-2 inches apart in a grid pattern. This allows the runners to spread and quickly fill the gaps. The Dry Start Method is often used to establish the plant before flooding the tank.
• Trimming: Regular and Frequent Trimming (every 1-2 weeks) is necessary to maintain a low, dense carpet (ideally 1/2 to 1 inch high). Trimming prevents the lower leaves from being shaded, which can cause them to rot and ruin the carpet.

Quick Facts

• Scientific Name: Glossostigma elatinoides
• Primary Common Name: Glosso
• Other Common Names: None widely used
• Origin: Oceania (Australia and New Zealand)
• Max Height: 1-2 cm (0.4-0.8 inches) when grown properly; can grow much taller in low light (leggy).
• Growth Rate: Moderate to Fast (with CO₂ and high light)
• Aquarium Placement: Foreground Carpet
• Care Level: Moderate to Difficult (High-Tech)
• Water Parameters: pH 5.8-7.5 (Prefers slightly acidic to neutral), Temp 68-82°F (20-28°C), Soft to Moderate Hardness (4-10 dKH)