Staurogyne Repens

Staurogyne Repens

Staurogyne repens is a fresh-green, compact plant that’s become a true workhorse for planted tanks—especially if you want a low, bushy foreground without the fuss of more demanding carpeting species. It was discovered for the aquarium hobby in Brazil’s Rio Cristalino (southern Amazonas), and it’s prized for its small leaves and sturdy, “stay-put” growth that looks natural in almost any layout.

Staurogyne Repens Overview

In an aquascape, Staurogyne repens sits right in that sweet spot between a carpet and a shrub: it can stay low and spread when conditions are good, but it also has enough structure to create a clean transition from foreground to midground.

Aquarists appreciate Staurogyne repens for:

• Compact, bushy growth: a low, dense “cushion” look that reads natural, not manicured
• Great transitions: perfect for blending hardscape edges into planted areas
• Easy training with trimming: cut it back and it reliably throws new side shoots
• Beginner-friendly toughness: hardy, forgiving, and adaptable compared to many foreground plants

For aquascaping, Staurogyne repens looks best planted in small clusters along the front edge of a rock ridge, tucked into crevices, or used to “green up” the base of hardscape so your layout looks mature and intentional from day one. It’s especially effective with textured stones like Japanese Ohko Dragon Rock, where the compact leaves soften sharp contours and make the rockwork look like it’s been in the tank for months, not days. It also pairs beautifully with Seiryu Rock, because the plant’s clean, bright green color contrasts against Seiryu’s cool tones and strong striations, helping your foreground read crisp and high-definition.

If you’re building a more rugged, natural look, try it around Lava Rock—the plant roots readily in the gaps and visually “stitches” pieces together—while Blue Petrified Rock is a great choice when you want a darker, more dramatic base that makes the greenery pop. Finish the scene by blending S. repens into driftwood bases like Blackwood or Driftwood on Slate, and you’ll get that clean transition from hardscape to planting that separates an average tank from a truly polished aquascape.

Caring for Staurogyne Repens

Staurogyne repens is straightforward to grow, and the “secret” is really just planting technique + trimming. Start by separating the stems and planting them as small groups with a little space between each plug so light can reach the lower growth. Once it roots, it naturally begins to thicken and spread.

Trimming is what turns it from “a few upright stems” into a dense, low patch. Tropica notes that you can cut off the longest upright shoots, and the plant will respond by producing new, horizontally creeping shoots from the base—gradually colonizing the substrate. If you run lower light, expect more upright growth and fewer side shoots; moderate light tends to keep it tighter and more lateral. CO₂ isn’t required, but it can noticeably improve density and overall plant health if you’re aiming for the most compact, “finished” look.

Key care parameters (so you can dial it in quickly):

• Light: Low (more compact and spreading with stronger light)
• Temperature Range: 68–82°F
• Placement: Foreground–Midground
• CO₂: Not required (beneficial)
• Difficulty: Easy
• Growth Rate: Medium

Once it’s established, the routine is simple: keep it in a reasonably bright area where it won’t be shaded by taller plants, feed consistently (a richer substrate helps it spread and thicken faster), and treat trims as “training.” If it starts reaching upward, trim the tallest tops, replant the healthiest cuttings if you want to expand the patch, and you’ll steadily build a dense, low, carpet-like mass that stays attractive without constant replanting.

Staurogyne Repens is also available potted.

Shop with Confidence for Aquarium Plants at Modern Aquarium

When you’re buying live plants, the difference is rarely the species name—it’s the quality of the specimen, how it’s handled, and how it’s packed and shipped. At Modern Aquarium, we focus on delivering plants that arrive clean, healthy, and ready to thrive—backed by responsive support if you need a hand.

• Hand-inspected & prepared plants: Every plant is inspected and prepped before shipping so you receive healthy specimens, not a “grab-bag” pull.
• Fast, reliable shipping for live plants: We pack carefully and ship quickly by FedEx 2-Day Delivery to minimize transit stress and help plants arrive in great condition.
• Live Arrival Guarantee: Your live plant order is protected—so you can buy with confidence.
• Google Top Quality Store + real reviews: Modern Aquarium has been designated by Google as a Top Quality Store and has thousands of verified customer reviews.
• Trusted Sourcing: Our plants are sourced from the best nursery in Florida and are handled with care from the grower to your aquarium.
• What You See Is What You Get: Every image on our site is a typical representation of the plants we sell—no unrealistic stock photos. Because live plants are natural products, individual specimens will vary in size, fullness, and coloration.
• Real support when you need it: Reach us via site chat or phone for practical help with planting, trimming, fertilizing, and choosing compatible species and hardscape.

Bottom line: Staurogyne repens is one of the most reliable ways to create a clean, professional-looking foreground that still feels natural. Plant it in small bunches, give it steady nutrition, and use simple “trim-and-train” maintenance with sharp aquascaping scissors to encourage lateral, bushy growth—then finish the look by framing it with complementary rocks and signature driftwood (Blackwood, Stump Wood, Tiger Wood, Driftwood on Slate) for a layout that looks intentionally designed from day one.