Christmas Moss Ultimate Guide on Planting, Maintenance and Care

Having Fish in Artificial Ponds comes to as at today from around 4500 years ago. The Earliest known Aquarists were the Sumerians, who were civilians of the Southern Mesopotamia.

Thereafter it was found that the Ancient Egyptians and the Assyrian people also had ponds with fish for decorations.

Table of Contents

Christmas Moss Ultimate Guide
Christmas Moss Ultimate Guide Image Source
Scientific NameVesicularia Montagnei
OriginSouth America
Lighting NeedsMedium – high indirect light
Temperature70-90°F (21-32°C)
CO2Low
Water ConditionspH 5- 7.5
Average Size3 – 5+
Growth RateSlow to Medium
PlacementMid and Foreground
DifficultyEasy – Medium
Christmas Moss Information Table

By time this spread to China who bred Ornamental Fish which was also followed by Japan.

During the 19 th Century the word Aquarium came in to use which had the meaning of a container used for growing plants.

This breeding of fish in Aquariums turned out to be Commercial by time and as at today this is one of the fastest growing businesses in today’s world.

There is no place of work or residence without a fish tank as at today. Having a Fish tank not only adds decoration but also brings other benefits as calming the mind and releasing the stress.

Introducing of different Aquatic plants to the Aquarium or fish tank has been done by Aquarists all around the world.

Different types of plants which has different types of beauty and different types of benefits to the tank can be found these days.

One such identified plant which can bring a beauty to the tank as well as bring benefits to the tank as well as the Aquatic life in it are the Christmas Moss plants.

What is Christmas Moss?

The Christmas Moss is scientifically known as the Vesicularia Montagnei.This plant mostly grows in wet places rather than the dry and is seen growing very faster in such places.

This plant is mostly found growing around streams, shady river banks as well as on forest trees and rocks which are wet all the time.

Appearance of the Christmas Moss

The Christmas Moss is also identified as the Christmas tree moss by the look of the plant. This plant grows up to a height of around 03 to 04 inches tall and has branches growing in it as in a Christmas tree.

The leaves of this plant looks likes fir with a very greenly colour,02 mm long and with oval shaped leaves which grows at a 90 degree angle from the stem of the plant.

The structure of this plant changes with the climate changes, light received and other nutritional factors.

Origin of the Christmas Moss

This plant is mostly found in the tropical Asia. Other places where this plant is seen growing are in Thailand, India, Japan and the Philippines.

What are the Types of Christmas Moss?

The Christmas Moss plant can be identified in 03 types, they are the Christmas Moss, Brazilian Christmas Moss and the Mini Christmas Moss.

  • The Christmas Moss

The Christmas Moss plant grows up to a height of around 03 to inches tall and has fir like leaves.

This plant has similar branches to a Christmas tree. Based on the nutritional factors, lighting received and the wetness of the place this plant will have different structures in it.

  • The Brazilian Christmas Moss

This is another type of Christmas Moss plant which has slight changes from the Christmas Moss plant.

The Brazilian Christmas Moss changes in the size and the density of it when compared with the Christmas Moss.

This plant has shorter and narrower leaves and form more structures that are closer together compared to the Christmas Moss plant.

  • The Mini Christmas Moss

The Third type of Christmas Moss is the mini Christmas Moss.

The size of this plant is similar to that of the Brazilian Christmas Moss. But grows more tightly together than the Brazilian Moss.

The size of this plant is similar to that of the Brazilian Christmas Moss. But grows more tightly together than the Brazilian Moss.

How to care Christmas Moss?

Like all other plants in the Aquarium the Christmas Moss also requires a certain type of care. But when compared with the other types of plants this care requirement is at its minimum level.

Lighting

When you attach your Christmas Moss plant into the tank it should be seen that this plant is not shadowed by other plants and receives the required amount of light.

Because sufficient amount of light is a key factor for the growth of the Christmas Moss plant.

The Christmas Moss will grow faster in the bright light, however too much of bright light is not good on the plant which will cause it to melt within the tank after a certain time period.

If still you can’t control the amount of bright light received on your tank it would be better to attach the Christmas Moss to the bottom of the tank and will also help to get rid of Algae growth.

Too much of light on the Christmas Moss will definitely cause Algae growth within the plant and the tank which will not be that easy to get rid of.

When your Christmas Moss plant in the tank receives the required amount of bright light or sunlight the plant will tend to grow horizontally. And when the plant receives minimum amount of light it will change the way and grow vertically.

So the amount of lighting on the plant is a key factor with much importance.

Water Parameters

The Christmas Moss is a hardy and versatile plant which is easy to take care of. However this plant is a fresh water plant and will not survive itself in the salt water or brackish water. A Christmas plant in the salt waters will cause the plant to die.

Therefore it should be always considered on the cleanliness of the water for the plant to survive.

A regular cleaning of the water will help the Christmas Moss plant in the tank to grow faster and more beautifully.

Also this plant tends to grow faster in a place with a flow of water. So if you have a filter within the tank it would be much better to place this plant near to it which will be another factor helping for its growth.

This plant can live in a temperature of between 65-77 degrees Fahrenheit and at PH level of between 5 to 7.5.

CO2

The Christmas Moss plant is a slow growing plant with a slow growing root system.

However Infusion of CO2 to the plant is not necessarily required. But if you wish to you can infuse CO 2 to the plant which will make the growth of the plant faster.

Fertilizer & Nutrients

The Christmas Moss like all other plants has its own food making process. As long as it has a wet surface and a flow of water. Therefore addition of additional Fertilizer and Nutrients to the plant is not that of a requirement.

The Christmas Moss like all other plants has its own food making process. As long as it has a wet surface and a flow of water. Therefore addition of additional Fertilizer and Nutrients to the plant is not that of a requirement.

What is the Growth Rate of Christmas Moss?

The Christmas Moss will have a height of only 03 to 04 inches tall but will spread itself as much as the surface remains wet. However compared to the other aquatic plants their growth rate is not that speedy as the other plants.

This plant is a slow growing plant with a slow growing root system.

Benefits of Christmas Moss

To Aquarium Tanks

Like all other plants the Christmas Moss will also make its food through the process of photosynthesis, providing the oxygen requirement of the tank to a certain level.

Also the Christmas Moss will be great addition of decoration to the tank or Aquarium.

To Fish

Having a Christmas Moss within the tank will have certain advantages to the fish and other small tank mates within the tank.

The Christmas Moss will be a source of food for certain fish as well as a place of hiding and shelter. Also this plant will be a great place for the fish to lay and hide their eggs from other tank mates within the tank.

Disadvantages of Christmas Moss

Although the Christmas Moss is nice looking and a great addition to your fish tank or Aquarium. It has its own disadvantages.

Melting

The First such problem associated with the Christmas Moss is melting of the plant.

Although it is said that the Christmas Moss requires a minimum requirement of care compared to other Aquatic plants in the tank. This minimum care should be given up to a certain extent.

Leaving this plant in the tank and not taking care of the plant will cause problems to the plant as well as the Tank.

Too much of light received on the plant for a longer period of time will cause the Christmas Moss to melt within the tank.

Algae Growth

Christmas Moss is a plant which can attract Algae to the tank. Therefore a regular cleaning of the water and seeing that the Moss receives only the required amount of light and Nutrients in the water can help the control of Algae growth within the tank.

Debris Collection

The Christmas Moss has very small leaves which are tightly together. Also its branches are not that far apart. So this will cause the collection of Debris within the plant much easier.

How to maintain Christmas Moss?(Cleaning / trimming)

A proper cleaning of the Christmas Moss is required for the proper growth of the plant.

Therefore when cleaning the fish tank or Aquarium you can take the Christmas Moss out of the tank and see that the plant also receives a proper amount of cleaning.

Also a regular trimming of the plant can help you to have a good growing Christmas Moss.

When the Christmas Moss starts to grow it will not be able to stand itself in the tank with the heaviness and will try to fall off from where it is attached.

Therefore trimming the plant and having it short and light Christmas moss in the tank is the best way to have it.

Common problems of planting Christmas Moss

Planting a Christmas Moss in your tank at times will have certain problems,

These plants require a regular trimming of the plant, or else it will not be hold itself within the tank. The result will be the inner parts of the moss turning brown in colour without notice and spreading all over to the moss.

This at times cannot be treated if left for a longer period of time and will cause the moss even to die.

Another problem that can occur in the growth of Algae within the tank. The Christmas moss is a plant that can attract the growth of Algae in the tank.

So a proper and regular cleaning of the tank, looking that the Moss receives only the required amount of light and nutrients are key factors that has to be taken into consideration to control the growth of Algae within the Moss and the tank.

Also another problem that you will have to face when having these plants in the tank are the effects of the tank mates.

If there are certain tank mates that feed on plants within the tank then they might make a bad effect on the Christmas Moss.

Are Christmas Moss and the Java Moss Similar plants?

The Christmas Moss and Java Moss are both types of Mosses. Although they look alike and belong to the category of Moss without roots and large stems, they are not the same.

The Christmas Moss and the Java Moss are two different plants with their own characteristics.

What is the difference between Christmas Moss and Java Moss?

The Christmas moss is a great alternative on the Java Moss. The Christmas Moss grows quicker and more horizontally than the Java Moss.

Having a Christmas Moss instead of the Java Moss in your tank will help you to make thick walls, trees etc. which will also save your time and money.

However the Java Moss will fill the spaces in the tank with it while the Christmas Moss will almost cover over everything within the tank when growing.

Can Christmas Moss grow out of Water?

The normal habitat of the Christmas Moss is near to streams, river banks, wet rocks and trees.

So therefore the Christmas Moss can grow itself out of Water as well. The growth rate of the Christmas Moss out of water is much higher than that in the water.

As long as the surface is wet these Moss will spread itself for a wide range.

Who are the Suitable tank mates for Christmas Moss?

There are several identified tank mates who can live in harmony with the Christmas Moss.

Such tank mates are,

  • Hillstream Loach-The Hill Stream Loach are peaceful and active fish who has similar water parameter requirements as the Christmas Moss plant and have a peaceful living with it.
  • Guppies are Community Fish that are very peaceful. They can live in harmony with the Christmas Moss. The Christmas Moss provides these fish with a good shelter as well as a good hiding place.
  • Bristlenose Plecos-The Bristlenose Plecos is a very beneficial fish to your tank with Christmas Moss. These Fish are very peaceful and helps in cleaning the Algae within the tank.
  • Otocinclus- These Fish are very peaceful and social. They eat the Algae and the Debris within the tank and also helps in cleaning plants which is very helpful to the Christmas Moss.
  • Crystal Red Shrimp- the Crystal red Shrimp is an animal which can live in harmony with the Christmas Moss. They are very peaceful.
  • Cherry Shrimp- the Cherry Shrimp is a very peaceful animal. This animal is around 1.6 inches in size and feed on decomposing plants and Algae. Having these with the Christmas Moss plant will be beneficial to the plant. The Cherry Shrimp will help the plant to get rid of the unwanted Algae within it.
  • The Cherry Shrimp and the Christmas Moss can live in harmony.

Who are the Unsuitable tank mates for Christmas Moss?

Tank Mates such as the Silver Dollar Fish, Monos, Scals and the Gold Fish who highly depend on plants in your tank should be avoided from being together with the Christmas Moss.

These types of tank mates can make harms on the Christmas Moss very badly.

Does the Christmas Moss Spread?

The Christmas Moss is able to grow itself even when not attached to the substrate. Attaching these Moss to the substrate will at times cause them to die.

So keeping these Moss attached to a driftwood or as a wall to the tank will help in its spreading.

Having the required amount of water and light will help the Christmas Moss to spread itself in the tank.

When these moss receives a high amount of light it tends to spread itself horizontally and when there is a minimum amount of light the plant will spread itself horizontally.

However as a plant with a slow growth the spreading of this Moss in the tank will take a certain amount of time.

Can I Float the Christmas Moss?

The Christmas Moss will grow itself anywhere when the plant has enough amount of water and light for its growth. So you have even leave these Moss floating in your tank. This might not bring any harm to the Moss.

The Christmas Moss will grow itself anywhere when the plant has enough amount of water and light for its growth. So you have even leave these Moss floating in your tank. This might not bring any harm to the Moss.

Conclusion

The Christmas Moss plant compared to other Aquatic plants is a much easier to take care of plant.

Therefore having such a plant will not only add a beauty to the fish tank or Aquarium but will also save your money and time spent on other Aquatic plants.

So if you are interested in having a new Aquarium or Fish tank to your home place or work place the Christmas Moss will be an ideal plant.

By Uswatta Liyanage

Hello. I'm Uswatta Liyanage from Galle, Sri Lanka. I am the founder of this website. Since my childhood I'm an aqua plant lover and I have professionally learned more about aqua plants. So I created this site for share my knowledge and experience with all of you. Now you can refer my site and feel free to contact me if any inquiry.