Staurogyne sp. ' Porto Velho '

🌿 Staurogyne sp. 'Porto Velho' – Care Guide

Staurogyne sp. 'Porto Velho' is a rare and striking aquarium plant known for its deep green to bronze-purple tones and compact, creeping growth. It’s a fantastic foreground or low midground choice for aquascapers looking for something different from the usual bright greens.

🔎 Overview

• Scientific Name: Staurogyne sp. 'Porto Velho'

• Common Name: Staurogyne Porto Velho

• Origin: Brazil (Porto Velho region, hence the name)

• Growth Form: Low, creeping or bushy stem plant

• Coloration: Green with a purplish-brown hue under high light

• Height: 5–15 cm (2–6 inches)

• Placement: Foreground to low midground

💡 Care Requirements

🔆 Lighting

• Medium to high lighting brings out bronze/purple hues

• Low light = greener and slower growth

• High light = compact, colorful, and carpet-like spreading

💨 CO₂

• Highly recommended for best form and color

• Grows without CO₂ but more upright and less intense in color

💧 Water Parameters

• Temperature: 22–28°C (72–82°F)

• pH: 6.0–7.5

• Hardness: Soft to medium

• Flow: Moderate to good flow encourages healthy structure

🧪 Nutrients

• Benefits from both rich substrate and liquid fertilization

• Responds well to iron and micronutrients for deeper coloration

• Needs a balance of macros (NPK) for steady, dense growth

✂️ Growth & Maintenance

• Growth Rate: Moderate

• Regular trimming encourages spreading and a fuller carpet

• Remove taller shoots to maintain a low, bushy profile

• Tends to grow horizontally under high light + CO₂

🌱 Propagation

• Easily propagated by cuttings

• Snip healthy stems and replant them directly into substrate

• Spreads by side-shoots and stem divisions over time

🪴 Aquascaping Tips

• Perfect for dark foregrounds or contrasting textures

• Great alternative to Staurogyne repens, but with more dramatic coloring

• Pairs beautifully with:

  • Bright green plants like Monte Carlo, Eleocharis acicularis

  • Red stem plants like Rotala colorata or Ludwigia peruensis

  • Hardscape-heavy layouts (rocks/wood) for a moody tone