{"product_id":"marsilea-hirsuta","title":"Marsilea Hirsuta","description":"\u003ch3 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eAbout Marsilea Hirsuta\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMarsilea Hirsuta is a versatile foreground plant native to Australia, prized for its ability to form a lush, natural carpet in freshwater aquariums. A member of the aquatic fern family, this hardy species is well known for producing a variety of leaf shapes depending on growing conditions, ranging from tiny single-leaf runners to distinctive four-leaf clover-like foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts adaptable nature makes Marsilea Hirsuta an excellent choice for both beginner and experienced aquascapers. Under high lighting with CO₂ supplementation, it forms a dense, low-growing carpet that creates a beautiful natural meadow effect. In lower-tech aquariums, it may develop slightly taller leaves while still maintaining an attractive, tidy appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMarsilea Hirsuta spreads by runners beneath the substrate, gradually filling open spaces with fresh growth. Its dense carpet provides excellent shelter for shrimp, shrimplets, and bottom-dwelling fish while helping to create a natural-looking aquascape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike more demanding carpeting plants, Marsilea Hirsuta is remarkably forgiving and adapts well to a wide range of aquarium conditions. It thrives in nutrient-rich substrates with moderate to high lighting and benefits from regular fertilisation. While CO₂ is not essential, it greatly improves growth rate, leaf density, and carpet formation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEasy to grow, uniquely Australian, and beautifully natural, Marsilea Hirsuta is one of the best foreground plants for Nature Aquariums, shrimp tanks, and freshwater aquascapes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eQuick Care Guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMarsilea hirsuta\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMarsilea Hirsuta\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eOrigin\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAustralia\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003ePlant Type\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCarpeting Plant\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eModerate\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEasy\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eLighting\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eModerate to High\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCO₂ Required\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo (Highly Recommended)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eTemperature\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e18–28°C\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003epH\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e6.0–7.5\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWater Hardness\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2–15 dGH\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003ePlacement\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eForeground\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNature aquariums, shrimp tanks, nano aquariums, Dutch aquascapes, and low-tech or high-tech planted aquariums\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes Marsilea Hirsuta require CO₂?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Marsilea Hirsuta grows well without CO₂, making it suitable for low-tech aquariums. However, CO₂ supplementation encourages a denser, lower-growing carpet and faster spreading.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Marsilea Hirsuta a true carpeting plant?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. It spreads by runners beneath the substrate and gradually forms a dense foreground carpet, especially under good lighting and regular trimming.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy do the leaves have different shapes?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMarsilea Hirsuta naturally changes its leaf shape depending on aquarium conditions. It may produce single, double, three-lobed, or four-leaf clover-like leaves as it adapts to lighting and growth conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow do I propagate Marsilea Hirsuta?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe plant spreads naturally by underground runners. You can also divide established sections and replant them throughout the aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Marsilea Hirsuta suitable for shrimp tanks?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbsolutely. Its dense carpet provides excellent cover for shrimplets and creates a large surface area for biofilm, making it ideal for shrimp colonies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon Mistakes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eExpecting an instant carpet\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMarsilea Hirsuta spreads steadily by runners and requires patience before forming a dense foreground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eInsufficient lighting\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLow lighting can encourage taller growth instead of a compact carpet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003ePoor nutrient availability\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA nutrient-rich substrate and regular fertilisation promote healthy growth and faster spreading.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003ePlanting too densely\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpace small portions a few centimetres apart to encourage runners to spread naturally and evenly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eNeglecting trimming\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOccasional trimming keeps the carpet low, tidy, and encourages thicker horizontal growth.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Apex Aquatic","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48856341086347,"sku":null,"price":15.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0579\/8353\/3195\/files\/S9_nemhL_ihdjObQDmLQiFujlae20KkgEQGqDu900Wyu-uqbtOePmjBhpRv7evolj5mP3jSzEKP8YBiN__cSrdgu04DD_FFUJpn1AynSRsvH4KPfupynPCAAFIwL-thMJCctG6bPX_aYunRmWE49ZhAT0aH3UkrQxcQeMo6JnXAXYd_QMfyQDpg.jpg?v=1786099938","url":"https:\/\/apexaquatic.com.au\/products\/marsilea-hirsuta","provider":"Apex Aquatic","version":"1.0","type":"link"}