However, as with any other aquatic plant, letting it dry out too much will kill it. In fact, you can’t overwater it! It can go weeks without any water whatsoever but will recover in minutes after a good dousing. Java Moss is extremely forgiving when it comes to watering. I like using these pots made out of nylon since they do not break down easily like clay pots and do not dissolve into the substrate over time as plastic ones do! Watering You can also sterilize your pots by boiling them for 10 minutes, letting them air dry overnight, then filling them with fresh soil/potting mix.īe sure to wear gloves when handling newly sterilized containers as they are likely to be still hot and you don’t want to burn yourself. A pH of around 5.5 will result in healthy foliage coloration for your java moss.īe sure to use sterile soil or create a solution of 2 tablespoons of bleach per gallon of water let it sit until dissolved before mixing with existing soils. Also, because Java moss does not absorb nutrients from its container, choose a soil mixture that is low in nutrients to prevent algae growth. Taxiphyllum barbieri is an epiphyte, so it requires a well-drained potting mix that won’t hold onto water. So pay attention to what kind of lights you have in your tank as well as how many watts are outputting from those lights. If there is enough lighting, your plant should always have good dark green coloring on its’ stems and leaves. You will know your plants’ needs when they turn yellow or start getting long yellow leaves that are not very healthy looking. However, if you are growing it just for aesthetics, keep it at around 5 watts per gallon. If you want to propagate Java Moss, I suggest keeping it under 1 watt per gallon of aquarium water. This plant can be grown in low-medium light but will grow much faster in a higher light environment. Taxiphyllum barbieri (Java moss) likes medium-light to low light.

Will java moss spread