DIFFICULTY Advanced

Benefits from more deliberate care.

LIGHT High

Around 10 hours is a useful starting point.

CO₂ Required

Injected CO₂ is important for expected growth.

GROWTH Medium

Biweekly trimming needs.

PLANT OVERVIEW

About Utricularia graminifolia

A grassy carnivorous carpet plant for high-tech tanks.

UG is a tiny bladderwort that forms a fine, grassy green carpet — technically carnivorous, trapping micro-organisms in bladders on its roots. It's beautiful but temperamental, prone to melting and sulking before it establishes, and needs CO2, good light and stable water.
Shrimp friendly Nano suitable High-tech suitable Fry cover
CARE PROFILE

What this plant needs.

The useful numbers and practical notes, grouped around how you actually keep the plant.

TANK FIT

Placement + size

Primary placementForeground
Typical height1–3 in
Typical width4 in
Suggested minimum tank5 gal
Suggested tank height8 in+
LIGHT + CO₂

Energy demand

Ideal lightHigh
Photoperiod range8–12 hr
Approx. PAR40–100
Injected CO₂Required
CO₂ benefitHigh
NUTRITION

Where it feeds

Root feedingLow
Water-column feedingModerate
Overall fertilizer demandModerate
Iron demandModerate
MicronutrientsModerate
WATER

Useful parameter range

Temperature68–80°F
pH5.5–7.2
GH1–12 dGH
KH0–8 dKH
PLANTING

How to plant it.

Substrate: Nutrient-rich substrate

Split into small tufts and press into the substrate; can be slow and sulk before carpeting.

GROWTH + PROPAGATION

What to expect after planting.

Propagation

Runners / division

Acclimation

Often melts and sulks for weeks before establishing; keep conditions stable.

COMMON PROBLEMS

What usually goes wrong.

Fails to stay low and carpet without strong light and CO2; lifts if roots are shallow.