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Permalink Reply by Peter on December 6, 2013 at 9:08pm

Hornwort is a floating plants so its not gonna trwo out roots u can anchor it to ur substate tho it will grow out of control as in all directions not just up.

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Permalink Reply by MjayN619 on December 6, 2013 at 10:49pm

@peter sweet the "professionals"at the store weren't sure how it grows or anything this plant seems like its gonna need a lot of pruning down the line I wonder if I can segment it and sprout other shoots

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Permalink Reply by Sue Harkey on December 31, 2013 at 4:00pm

Hornwort can be used floating or anchored in the substrate. It needs good lighting or it will die back and clog up the filter. If you are sticking in the gravel, don't bunch up too tightly or the packed areas will die off as well. This stuff will proliferate like a weed if allowed, which is why it is not allowed in certain states. You can trim top pieces off just like cabomba and replant.

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Permalink Reply by Robert Jango on January 1, 2014 at 3:56am

The more light it gets the bushier it gets. The Hornwart outside in my pond looks nothing like the stuff in my tanks. People look down on it because its so cheap and prolific but its actually quite beautiful. The same goes for algae - having parts of an aquarium covered in a green moss-like fuzz can be stunning.

The Hornwart in my pond is firmly rooted in the soft soil. In the tanks... not so much. It can grow several feet long and, if left unchecked, will suck up nutrients in the water to the point where floating plants like Water Lettuce, Water Hyacinths, and Algae (green water) have a hard time growing. I don't know of any fish that eats Hornwart.

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Permalink Reply by Tiger Barb on January 2, 2014 at 8:24pm

Hornwort is a really nice looking plant, it is 100% floating, in the right enviroment it will grow fast and bushy, it has a bright green color, you can attach it to something like someone mentioned below, I usually attach it to lava rock or even a piece of driftwood with a rubber band, you will have to trim it back every other week at least, I do use it in my 30G breeder tank, I have pregnant mollies, sword tail, guppies, platys, etc....and is great for fry to hide, it can become a problem if you don't keep it under control (trimming regularly), I was given a stem and now I have just too much that I even throw it in my compost bin, I live in Burbank CA so should not be thrown on lakes or rivers.

But is a cool plant, I am sure once it starts growing you will enjoy it and is a plant that no fish will eat or disturb due to the way the leaves are.

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Permalink Reply by Fishtank Thumbnail on January 7, 2014 at 1:29am

Hornwort is not a rooting plant although some people bury it down anyway. It is really a floating plant and (In my opinion of course) isn't really that attractive... I had it for a while but threw it out. It grows fast and ends up all over the aquarium. I would say thats why its illegal in California, since it has the tendency to grow like crazy and spread. Some people use it to help reduce nutrients and block light. If you want a super fast growing easy plant that roots, maybe look into Najas (guppy) grass although I advise against it too lol.. it will eventually be everywhere. I was throwing it out on a weekly basis. Good luck my friend!

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Permalink Reply by Robert Jango on January 7, 2014 at 6:50pm

I pull it up from from my pond every autumn and with it a good amount of soil. It definitely roots but I haven't it seen root in an aquarium. The best plants for reducing nitrogenous waste (that includes ammonia) are floating plants like Duckweed, but Hornwart does a great job too. In my subjective opinion it is one of the most beautiful aquarium plants. Just because its common doesn't mean its ugly. Who are the most (physically) beautiful women in the world? They're not in Hollywood. They're right under your nose working the counter at McDonalds. 

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Permalink Reply by MjayN619 on January 27, 2014 at 2:04am

Thanks for all that info guys since i posted it has grown every where but its not looking too bad its actually starting too look like a mini under water kelp forest!

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Permalink Reply by william cooledge on March 23, 2014 at 8:29am

is a good plant, I have had only one problem is my male apistogramma cuacatoides picks at in constantly so I had to move to one of my other tanks

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Permalink Reply by Tiger Barb on April 9, 2014 at 2:55pm

Well I am glad to hear your hornwort is growing and doing great, a little high maintenance but worth it for the looks and how it lowers extra nutrients and ammonia.

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Permalink Reply by Cire Loknok on April 9, 2014 at 9:56pm

Hornwort is as easy to grow as algae. You wont need to worry much about it. In my experience, you cant anchor hornwort into the substrate, the part under it will just die. Let the plant float at the surface and it will do fine, as long as you have a light on your tank, that's pretty much its only requirement!

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