Lindernia rotundifolia 'Variegated'

This plant is a pretty selection of Lindernia rotundifolia with white longitudinal veins. With the parallel and arched veins, the variegated, roundish leaves are reminiscent of small striped balls. This plant is often only sold under the species name Lindernia rotundifolia, without the cultivar name 'Variegated'. On 1.5 to 2 cm thick stems are opposite, 1.5 - 2 cm long and 0.9 - 1.3 cm wide sessile leaves. The shoots are about 2.5 to 3.5 cm wide. The distance between the stem nodes (the internode length) is about 2.5 - 3.5 cm.
The parent form, the Round-leaf Lindernia, is a small amphibious plant in many tropical regions of the world: Africa, Asia, Central and South America. In the terrestrial form, the prostrate shoots form blue-white flowers and small capsule fruits with many seeds. When submerged in the aquarium, the growth of Lindernia rotundifolia depends on the conditions. In relatively low light, the shoots tend to grow strictly upright and branch little. Under intense light, they branch out quite strongly, forming a dense bush. The shoots can grow to a height of at least 40 cm, but tall, old bushes are often poorly rooted and can detach from the substrate. It is therefore advisable to keep the plant at a height of around 15 to 30 cm by pruning and replanting cuttings.

Lindernia rotundifolia 'Variegated' has the same low requirements as its green parent form. This fairly fast-growing stem plant tolerates temperatures below 20 to 30 °C, but around 22 - 26 °C is ideal. Soft to moderately hard water is suitable. The light requirement is moderate, but as described, the more light the plant receives, the more branched and bushy it will grow. The addition of CO₂ is not absolutely necessary, but promotes growth greatly, as does a complete supply of macro and micronutrients via the water column, whereby the Round-leaved Lindernia also tolerates sub-optimal nutrient conditions. Propagation is simple by means of terminal and partial cuttings. As an emergent plant on wet soil, Lindernia can grow almost weed-like. It also self-seeds easily, but the seedlings then correspond to the green stem form without leaf markings.

This graceful stem plant with a white-green striped pattern provides an interesting accent in the aquarium. Under moderate lighting, groups of the strictly upright stems can form an interesting accent in the foreground to midground. A dense bush of Lindernia rotundifolia 'Variegated' under strong lighting can also be used in the background under certain circumstances, but is better in the midground. In emersed setups such as paludariums and Wabi-Kusa, the plant forms a rapidly spreading bush and adorns itself with its small but striking blue and white flowers.