A small plant of low stature, native to New Zealand, Australia and Tasmania. It belongs to the family Scrophulariaceae. Its stature makes it suitable for the foreground of the aquarium, ideal for small tanks to fill the empty space right from the front glass of the aquarium.
If suitably lit, its height will not exceed a few centimetres (3-4 inches). It stretches among the gravel on the bottom, has creeping stems on which small teardrop-shaped leaves grow. If there is little light, it stretches upwards and forms small ‘trees’. It needs plenty of light to form a low compact ‘carpet’. You’d better buy one basket on a trial basis first and see how it goes.
I recommend a fine substrate with a grain size of a few millimetres (1-2). It will be easier to plant and the plant will root better. Carefully disassemble the purchased basket, divide the longer parts (with scissors, razor blade, etc.), and carefully plant each plant a few centimetres apart. Get a pair of tweezers before planting, as planting is virtually impossible without them. If you are planting a large number of plants, be prepared for several hours (!) of tweezing, so be patient. But the result will definitely be worth it.
Soft water, plenty of light, CO2, fertilization, and a temperature of 15-26 °C are recommended – here, as with Hemianthus callitrichoides, we are guided by the condition of the plant. I didn’t have soft water, fertilized occasionally, added CO2 nonstop and it grew nicely.
If you can’t grow it under water, try emersion. I keep it in a small aquarium, a few inches of fine gravel, water a centimeter above the gravel, plants planted spaced apart all over the place, top covered with clear food wrap. I shine a 9W energy saving fluorescent light on it. It’s no jungle, but it’s growing.
Glossostigma elatinoides also grows in nature often completely submerged. However, it only flowers if it is at least partially above the surface. It has white flowers and their pollination is provided by insects.