The waterweed is an evergreen aquatic plant originally immigrated from America. It also thrives in our climate and grows in numerous bodies of water. Keeping them in aquariums and garden ponds is usually not a problem either. But why does it occasionally turn brown?

In winter, waterweed can change color

Browning in autumn

Although waterweed is considered evergreen, it can change color in the pond during winter. Their shoots turn brown and sink to the bottom of the pond. The brown discoloration is no cause for concern, because the plant will sprout freshly again in spring as soon as it gets lighter and the water temperature rises.

tips

So that the brown parts of the plant do not rot in the depths of the pond and impair the water quality, you should fish them out as soon as possible.

Natural variety of colours

Waterweed is typically rich green, but it also exhibits a variety of colors. It usually varies between pale green and dark green. Occasionally it can also get reddish-brown leaves.

Unsuitable living conditions in the aquarium

The waterweed is considered a robust aquatic plant that can hardly be stopped from its growth. So if it turns brown completely or only in places, there must be good reasons behind it. Even experienced aquarists do not agree where to look for them first. Therefore, the following points are first questioned as possible triggers:

  • too warm water (over 26 °C)
  • no constant temperatures in all pool areas
  • too little light, possibly wrong color spectrum
  • individual parts of the plant can also be in the shade

Since the waterweed quickly sprout again, corrections in these areas will quickly show whether the investigation into the causes has been successful.

deficiencies in nutrient supply

The larger the waterweed becomes, the greater its nutrient requirements. If nutrients are missing or if their composition is not ideal, brown leaves can also occur. A precise check must be carried out here in order to take targeted countermeasures if necessary.

Remove brown leaves and shoots

Remove all brown leaves and shoots from the aquarium as recoloring will not occur. If these are not only brown, but also mushy, they will soon affect the water quality.

It is sufficient if you replant a few small, healthy pieces of waterweed in the aquarium so that further reproduction can take place.

Category:

Vegetable garden