{"product_id":"cardamine-lyrata","title":"Cardamine Lyrata","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eCardamine lyrata, or Japanese cress, is a bright green stem plant with rounded, kidney-shaped leaves that give a soft, informal look quite unlike the usual pointed foliage. It has a habit of wandering, sending out horizontal runners and trailing stems that weave through a scape. A little unusual, easy to grow and especially at home in cooler tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFound in the cool, flowing streams and wet ground of Japan, Korea and parts of China, often growing emersed along banks and creeping into the water. That temperate origin matters: it prefers cooler water than most tropical stems, and recreates best in a well-lit tank kept on the cooler side.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSlender stems carry alternating round-to-lyre-shaped leaves of a fresh, light green, with fine white roots that appear readily along the stem. It reaches around 30 cm and tends to sprawl and climb rather than stand rigidly upright. Cooler water encourages larger leaves, while warmer tanks (above about 24 °C) produce noticeably smaller foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlacement and Aquascaping\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eVersatile in the midground or background, and it can also be left to trail or float. Planted in a group it forms a loose, bushy stand; allowed to creep it softens hardscape edges. Trim and replant to keep it dense, as it naturally grows leggy reaching for light.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting and Propagation\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eRemove weights or rockwool and push stems gently into the substrate, or tie sections to wood or rock, as it roots along the stem very willingly. Propagation is easy: cut a stem or a lateral shoot and replant it, and it will root and grow away quickly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eModerate to high light keeps it compact and leafy; too little and the stems thin and stretch. CO2 is not required but improves growth and form, and it responds well to liquid fertiliser. It genuinely prefers cooler water, ideally 18–24 °C, and tolerates up to around 28 °C with smaller leaves; pH 6.0–7.2, soft to medium hardness. Growth is fast.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCardamine lyrata\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJapanese Cress, Chinese Ivy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEast Asia (Japan, Korea, China)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20–30 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFast\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner to Intermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlacement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMidground \/ Background \/ Floating\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLighting\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate to High\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCO2 Requirement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot required (beneficial)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFertilisation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLiquid fertiliser (water column)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e18–24 °C (tolerates to ~28)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.0–7.2\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2–15 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePropagation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStem and lateral-shoot cuttings replanted\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eColdwater and temperate community tanks, aquascapes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA good match for coolwater and temperate community fish, white cloud mountain minnows, smaller rainbowfish, peaceful barbs, shrimp and snails. Its cool tolerance makes it one of the few stems suited to unheated tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGoldfish and other enthusiastic grazers will make short work of the soft leaves, and warm discus-style tanks (28 °C and up) push it to shrink and struggle. Herbivorous cichlids are best avoided.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAustralian-grown aquarium plants for in-store collection or local delivery. Sold sizes\/portions reflect what we stock; anything shown as sold out will return as we restock.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55234101641507,"sku":"AA1364","price":9.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/cardamine-lyrata-43078074728739-v2.webp?v=1790321524","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/cardamine-lyrata","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}