I recently discovered this odd aquatic plant… the Banana Plant (Nymphoides aquatica).
These plants are found in the south/southeast of the US and are found in lakes, ponds swamps and slow rivers. But in certain areas, they are classified as endangered.
Also, known as “The Big Floating Heart” and “Banana Lily”, these are interesting plants because the roots are thick and these roots are where the plant stores its nutrients.
It will grow in low-light setups and can grow up to six inches tall in an aquarium and thrive in aquariums that are 68-82F and soft water with a pH of 6.0 to 7.2.
I personally selected one with the banana like roots that were lighter green, as the others were kind of dark.
These plants will shoot up long stems (that can grow up to 28 inches) and when breaking the surface, become lily pads.
Supposedly only 1/3 of the banana like tubes should be buried in substrate. But just know if you have snails or plecos, they may try to eat the banana roots.
If the plant separates from the banana roots, it means that it has more than enough nutrients that it gets from the substrate or water.
But overall, many have said these are great plants and I’m trying it out for myself and we’ll see how things go.
