Utricularia graminifolia (UG) care guide
Utricularia graminifolia · Lentibulariaceae
Utricularia graminifolia (UG) (Utricularia graminifolia) is an aquatic plant. It belongs to the Lentibulariaceae family. It is native to South and Southeast Asia (India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, southern China) – wet soil and marshes. A carnivorous bladderwort: it forms tiny bladder traps in the tank, an adaptation to nutrient-poor habitats; not frost hardy. It needs medium to high light. Water temperature: 18°C – 28°C. pH: 6.0 – 7.0. Care difficulty: Demanding (not a first carpet plant). Growth rate: moderate.
How do you care for Utricularia graminifolia (UG)?
| Light | Medium to High (don’t let taller plants shade it or the carpet declines) |
|---|---|
| CO₂ | Recommended (sources range from medium demand to 20 – 40 mg/l) |
| Temperature | 18°C – 28°C |
| pH | 6.0 – 7.0 |
| Placement | Foreground – carpet |
| Growth | Moderate |
| Difficulty | Demanding (not a first carpet plant) |
| Family | Lentibulariaceae |
How do you trim and propagate Utricularia graminifolia (UG)?
Shear the mat back to about 1 – 2 cm regularly to keep it fresh and stop the lower layers rotting; remove lifted pieces promptly. It spreads by creeping stems across the substrate — propagate by splitting an established mat into small clumps and replanting.
What problems affect Utricularia graminifolia (UG)?
Clumps or whole sections lifting and floating from shallow planting, strong current or digging fish before the mat anchors (old mats also peel at the edges); melting after planting from low CO₂, unstable parameters or an immature tank; yellow leaves from nutrient shortage, especially nitrogen or iron; algae in the carpet from a nutrient/light imbalance while it adapts.
How do you fix Utricularia graminifolia (UG) problems?
Plant deep into fine, rich aquasoil at least 1 – 2 cm thick, cut flow at the substrate, thin thick mats and replant loose pieces; plant into a cycled tank with steady CO₂ and fertiliser, optionally after a few weeks of dry start; increase complete fertiliser or root tabs; shorten the photoperiod while it establishes, siphon debris and add algae-grazing shrimp or snails.
Where does Utricularia graminifolia (UG) come from?
South and Southeast Asia (India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, southern China) – wet soil and marshes. A carnivorous bladderwort: it forms tiny bladder traps in the tank, an adaptation to nutrient-poor habitats; not frost hardy
Sources
- Utricularia graminifolia Vahl - World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew) via GBIF — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew / GBIF
- Utricularia graminifolia — Tropica Aquarium Plants
- Utricularia graminifolia — Flowgrow Aquatic Plant Database
- Utricularia graminifolia — Wikipedia
- Ultimate Guide to Caring for Utricularia Graminifolia (UG) — Hakkai
- Utricularia Graminifolia Tissue Culture — Buce Plant
Care details checked against these sources on 2026-09-23.
Which aquascapes and tanks use Utricularia graminifolia (UG)?
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