Mother plants are older, mature aquarium plants that are perfect for taking cuttings. They're also ideal for large aquascapes because they're much stronger than the fragile, small cuttings.
Aquarium plants in rockwool pots are probably familiar to many aquarists, but the mother plant, also known as XL aquarium plants, definitely deserves your attention! They're perfect for both large and small aquariums and can be fantastic additions to your underwater world.
What are Mother Plants?
Mother plants are older and larger varieties of regular aquarium plants. While a 5-centimeter plant usually grows for 4 to 6 weeks before it can be sold, a mother plant grows for 6 to 12 months! This makes them more robust and suitable for long-term use in your aquarium.
At Aquania, we produce some of our own mother plants, resulting in unique varieties such as the large Echinodorus Bleheri mother plant and the Anubias coffeefolia mother plant, as well as larger varieties such as the Java Fern XL mother plant.
What can you use Mother Plants for?
Mother plants can be a valuable addition to your aquarium. They can be placed on aquarium wood or rock, for example. This allows them to grow vigorously in the aquarium within a few weeks. For the best perspective, work with a gradual buildup from largest to smallest.
Smaller mother plants are perfect for the middle section of your aquarium. Using cuttings from the mother plant, you can create a beautiful, natural effect. An Anubias Nana, for example, looks great in the middle section, while the larger Anubias Barteri is better placed at the back.
Preparing mother plants
For rhizomatous plants, you can use plant glue or safe aquarium sealant to secure the mother plants to wood. You can also gently wedge the roots between wood or stone. Be careful not to secure the plant too tightly, so it has enough room to grow.
For other species, such as Cryptocoryne Wendtii or Echinodorus, you can divide the plants into rosettes. These smaller plants can be planted just like the 5-centimeter potted plants. Visit our Mother Plants webshop category for more information on the correct planting of each aquarium plant.
Finally, with rhizome mother plants, you can choose to plant them at the back of the tank. This way, they won't suffocate and will grow robustly in your aquarium, making them an ideal choice for aquariums with goldfish or other large fish.
Do you have any questions or would you like to share your own experiences? Feel free to contact us via WhatsApp: send us a message!
