Glossostigma elatinoides – Classic High-End Carpeting Plant
Glossostigma elatinoides (“Glosso”) is one of the most iconic carpeting plants in aquascaping. Famous from Amano-style layouts, it forms a dense, bright-green carpet with tiny rounded leaves that hug the substrate when grown under strong light and CO₂. When conditions are right, few plants deliver a cleaner, more professional foreground.
Why You’ll Love It
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🌱 Ultra-low carpet – One of the shortest carpeting plants available
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💚 Vibrant green color – Creates a crisp, fresh foreground
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🪨 Amano-style classic – Staple in Iwagumi and nature aquascapes
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✂️ Trims cleanly – Maintains a flat, manicured look with maintenance
Care Requirements
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Difficulty: Medium to Advanced
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Light: High (critical to keep growth low)
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CO₂: Required for best results
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Growth Rate: Fast under optimal conditions
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Placement: Foreground
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Temperature: 20–26 °C (68–79 °F)
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pH: 5.5–7.0
Aquascaping Tips
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Plant individual nodes or very small clumps spaced evenly
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Without high light, Glosso will grow upward instead of carpeting
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Nutrient-rich substrate and stable CO₂ are key to success