Java moss is considered among the most common aquatic plants for both amateur and inexperienced aquarists alike. Not only are they slow-growing and easy to care for, but they are also cheap and aesthetically pleasing.
However, not everyone understands how java moss grows. Can java moss grow out of water? Or do you have to plant them? Everything will be addressed in the article below!
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Can Java Moss Grow Out Of Water?
Yes. Java moss can easily be grown out of water. That said, java moss still requires the constant presence of light and moisture to survive and thrive.
Thus, you will have to be extra attentive regarding the conditions called for java moss’s survival.
How To Grow Java Moss Out Of Water?
Now that we know that java moss can be grown out of the water, below are the detailed instructions on how to sufficiently plant them.
Provide java moss with a lot of water
While java moss enjoys being submerged in the water, it could still grow and develop as long as the water supply is abundant. Once exposed to dry air for a long time, java moss surely will wither. Hence, make sure to spray water all over these plants on an hourly basis to keep them moist and soft.
Another approach is to create a small pool near where you plant the java moss. Next up, install a water pump to transfer the much-needed water to java moss, which may help you save time and energy in the long run.
Offer java moss a surface for attachment
Java moss is not particularly picky when it comes to the substrate. As these plants do not have roots, they rely on their leaves to absorb nutrients. This means you can attach java moss to any surface you like, from driftwood to large rocks, from gravel to other types of decor.
Still, experienced aquarists recommend using wood or soil if you wish to grow java moss out of water. These two types of substances are better at holding water, which explains why they are superior to other materials in assisting java moss in its growth.
Give java moss enough lighting
Whether the environment is dimly lit or brightly lit, rest assured that java moss can handle it all. That said, java moss tends to enjoy brighter lights, so you might want to invest in a grow light. If you lack the resources, other lighting fixtures or LEDs should be enough.
Monitor the temperature range
Java moss becomes harder when they are placed in a temperature range between 60 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure to keep the temperature a bit low, or else you might risk tampering with java moss’s growth rate.
Maintain java moss regularly
If you wish your java moss to spread out and stay healthy despite being confined to the land, you will need to find a carpet for them to spawn out evenly.
Stimulate their growth rate by pruning and trimming dead leaves, which also helps the plant re-channel their energy into healthier ones.
How Fast Does Java Moss Spread?
It depends on how optimal the conditions you provide java moss with. But on average, java moss grows rather slowly compared to other aquatic plants. Even if they are placed inside a tank with lots of water and long exposure to sunlight, java moss can only grow around 1.5 inches each month.
This means when removed from its preferable habitat, java moss will experience a sluggish pace when they look like they have stopped growing for quite a while. But rest assured that java moss only needs some time to adapt. Afterward, they will soon come back to their original growing rate.
How Can I Make Java Moss Grow Faster?
There are many ways in which java moss can grow faster.
Firstly, you can maximize the lighting conditions. Java moss is proven to thrive when light is the most prominent feature. Thus, place a grow light or LED light near your tank and see how it pushes java moss to grow.
Secondly, install a CO2 pump that helps increase the supply of fertilizer. Like most other plants, java moss needs CO2 to go through photosynthesis. If given enough nutrients, java moss will experience a growth spurt when they start reaching for the water’s surface.
Another solution to make java moss grow faster is to add air stones. Air stones will increase the air movement inside the tank, letting oxygenated waves of water seep through all of the java moss’s leaves.
Once the circulation is boosted, java moss will have a much easier time absorbing the much-needed nutrient. As a result, they can brace themselves for quicker and more substantial growth.
Will Java Moss Attach To Sand?
No. Java moss cannot attach itself to sand. Given how soft and dense the sand is, the rhizoids of java moss can’t attach themselves to this surface.
Still, if you are intent on planting java moss in an area full of sand, you might want to use other objects such as gravel or driftwood to anchor these plants. As long as they have a fixed place to grow on, java moss will survive just fine.
Conclusion
Can java moss grow out of water? Yes, they can! While growing them may prove to be rather challenging, you can still make sure that java moss will develop healthily. Just remember to give them lots of light, fertilizer, and oxygen!
