Riccia fluitans (Riccia Moss)

Riccia fluitans, commonly known as Riccia Moss or Crystalwort, is a small bright green aquatic plant that forms dense, branching mats. It can float freely on water or grow across wet surfaces when provided with constant moisture and high humidity.

Its versatility makes it useful for aquariums, paludariums and humid terrariums. Position small pieces where you want them to grow and, in suitable conditions, they will establish and spread into a fresh green carpet.

Key features

• Bright green aquatic plant
• Forms dense, low-growing mats
• Can grow floating on water
• Can grow terrestrially in constantly wet conditions
• Ideal for aquariums, paludariums and humid terrariums
• Spreads to create natural-looking green carpets

Plant size

• Height: usually 1cm to 5cm
• Spread: potentially indefinite in suitable conditions

Other common names

• Riccia Moss
• Crystalwort
• Floating Crystalwort

Growing Riccia fluitans in water

• Allow it to float freely across the water surface
• Provide good light for dense, compact growth
• Small pieces will gradually join together into larger mats
• Trim or remove excess growth when required
• It can also be attached to suitable hardscape for a different effect

Growing Riccia Moss on land

Riccia fluitans can also grow above water when conditions remain consistently wet. It works particularly well around water features, paludarium margins and very humid terrariums.

• Keep the growing surface constantly moist
• Aim for humidity of around 80% or higher
• Position small portions directly onto the desired surface
• Provide good light without allowing the plant to dry out
• Maintain high humidity while still allowing some air circulation

Using Riccia fluitans in a paludarium or terrarium

Place small pieces onto wet substrate, rock, wood or other constantly damp areas. Once established, the plant branches and spreads to create a low green carpet around the hardscape.

Do you need a plant to soften the transition between water and land? Riccia fluitans can grow both aquatically and in very wet terrestrial areas, making it particularly useful for naturalistic paludarium planting.