Myriophyllum elatinoides snowflake
Myriophyllum elatinoides snowflake
Myriophyllum elatinoides snowflake is a distinctive Myriophyllum form producing dense, finely branched foliage that develops a pale whitish-green tint at the growing tips under strong light — creating the frosted, snowflake-like appearance that gives this variety its evocative name. The pale-tipped foliage creates a subtle but genuinely unusual color effect among typically solid-green feathery plants, adding a cool, luminous quality to the background.
Care tip: Myriophyllum elatinoides snowflake grows best in moderate to high lighting with CO₂ recommended. Maintain temperatures of 68–80°F and pH 6.0–7.5. Regular liquid fertilization supports healthy growth and best coloration.
Growing to 10 to 16 inches, snowflake is a background plant that develops its characteristic pale-tipped appearance most fully under strong lighting. Regular trimming maintains compact, well-colored growth and ensures the most distinctively pale-tipped new growth is always prominently displayed. Without adequate light, the pale tip coloration fades toward plain green and the snowflake character is lost.
This moderate plant grows in moderate to high lighting with CO₂ recommended for compact, healthy growth. Temperatures between 68 and 80°F suggest a preference for slightly cooler conditions than strictly tropical plants. A pH of 6.0 to 7.5 provides comfortable conditions. Regular fertilization maintains the healthy, dense branching needed for the full snowflake expression.
In the aquascape, Myriophyllum elatinoides snowflake provides a subtly unusual pale-tipped background texture that adds a cool, frosted quality to the rear zone of the composition. The pale whitish tips are most visible against a dark background or in close-range viewing where the fine detail of the tipped foliage can be appreciated. Alongside warm-toned red and orange plants the cool pale tips create a natural warm-cool color contrast.
Myriophyllum elatinoides snowflake is a distinctively pale-tipped Myriophyllum for aquarists who appreciate subtle color effects and fine botanical detail. Its snowflake-like pale tips and moderate care requirements make it an unusual and rewarding background species.
Care & Specifications
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Placement | Background |
| Max Height | 10–16 inches |
| Light Level | Moderate to High |
| Temperature | 68–80°F |
| pH | 6.0–7.5 |
| CO2 Needs | Recommended |
| Origin | South America |
| Notes | A distinctive Myriophyllum elatinoides form with dense, finely branched foliage that develops a pale whitish tint under strong light — creating the snowflake-like frosted appearance that gives it its name. The white-tinted tips create a subtle but genuinely unusual color effect among typically green feathery plants. |
