{"product_id":"cyperus-helferi","title":"Cyperus Helferi","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eCyperus helferi is one of the few true aquatic sedges in the hobby, sending up a fountain of long, grassy leaves that sway beautifully in the current. It brings a soft, meadow-like texture that breaks up broad-leaved plants and hardscape alike. Supplied as a clean, lab-grown tissue culture – snail-, pest- and algae-free, and ready to plant.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eNative to Thailand, where it grows submerged and along the margins of slow, shallow streams. Recreate that with a nutritious substrate, gentle to moderate flow and moderate light. It genuinely grows underwater long-term, unlike many marsh sedges sold as aquatics, so it is a dependable submerged choice.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eLong, thin, arching leaves of fresh green rise from a central rosette, reaching around 20–35 cm tall and 15–25 cm across when mature. The tissue-culture portion starts as a small clump of young shoots that grow out into the full grassy fountain over several weeks once planted and rooted.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePlacement and Aquascaping\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA midground-to-background plant whose fine leaves add height and movement without blocking the view. Effective planted in a loose group where the arching leaves overlap, or as a single specimen to soften a piece of wood or rock. Keep flow low to moderate so the leaves form tidy rosettes rather than tangling.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePlanting and Propagation\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eRinse the tissue-culture gel from the roots and separate the clump into a few small portions, then plant each in the substrate with a root tab nearby. It propagates by side shoots and by dividing the rosette; larger clumps can be lifted and split once well established.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eModerate light suits it best; it will grow in weaker light but more slowly and less densely. CO2 is not required but noticeably improves growth and colour when added. Feed through the substrate with root tabs. Keep water at 20–30 °C, pH around 6.0–7.5. Growth is moderate, so it needs little trimming beyond removing the occasional old leaf.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCyperus helferi\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHelfer's Sedge\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThailand\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20–35 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlacement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMidground \/ Background\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLighting\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCO2 Requirement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeneficial\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFertilisation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRoot tabs (root feeder)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20–30 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.0–7.5\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\u003eSide shoots and rosette division\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\u003ePlanted community and aquascaped aquariums from 60 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful community fish, rasboras, tetras, corydoras, dwarf cichlids and shrimp all coexist happily with it, and shrimp appreciate the grassy cover.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBoisterous diggers and herbivorous fish – goldfish, large cichlids and silver dollars – will uproot or shred the fine leaves. Very low light and stagnant water lead to weak, straggly growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\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":55234105442595,"sku":"AA1286","price":12.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/cyperus-helferi-43078208749859-v2.webp?v=1790321529","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/cyperus-helferi","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}