Proserpinaca Palustris 'Cuba' (Mermaid Weed) Vitro Culture

The leaves change shape, not just color. Proserpinaca palustris 'Cuba' — Mermaid Weed — arrives with smooth, plain green foliage from emersed growth, then produces finely toothed, needle-like leaves once submerged, warming to copper, orange and red under strong light. Few aquarium plants alter their form this completely, and the serrated texture is unlike anything else in a planted tank. This is the sterile Vitro Culture® (tissue culture) format.

What You'll Receive

• 1 Pack Vitro Culture® (4-inch bag) containing multiple young plantlets
• Each sterile culture can be gently separated into several individual plants ready for planting throughout your aquarium

Plant Profile

• Common name — Mermaid Weed
• Scientific name — Proserpinaca palustris 'Cuba'
• Also known as — Cuba Mermaid Weed
• Origin — North and Central America
• Placement — Midground to background
• Shipped size — 4-inch bag of small plantlets, smooth-leaved on arrival
• Mature height — 6–14 in
• Suits — 10 gallons and up
• Growth rate — Medium

Care

• Difficulty — Intermediate
• Light — Medium to high. Light intensity drives both the serration and the copper-red
• CO₂ — Recommended for the best color and compact growth
• Water — 65–82°F · pH 6.0–7.5
• Substrate — Required. Nutrient substrate, plus water column dosing
• Growth habit — Amphibious. Smooth leaves emersed, serrated submerged
• Propagation — Cuttings — trim and replant stem tops

Grower's Notes

• Smooth leaves on arrival are correct. Emersed-grown Mermaid Weed has plain, untoothed foliage and looks nothing like the photographs. The serrated needle-like form appears only on new submerged growth — give it several weeks before judging it.
• Light does two jobs here. It drives the copper-red color, and it also sharpens the serration. Under weak light the plant grows but stays green with softer, less defined leaf edges — losing both of the things it is bought for.
• Rinse the gel off and separate the plantlets before planting, spacing them an inch apart. Planted as a clump the lower stems shade out.
• Trim and replant the tops. Cuttings color and serrate faster than the stumps regrow.
• It pairs well with Rotala and Ludwigia — similar warm tones, completely different leaf texture, which is what makes the grouping work.

Notes

• Live aquatic plants naturally vary in size, coloration, and appearance depending on growing conditions and season. Plants may appear slightly different from photos after shipping but will adapt and develop their mature coloration once established in the aquarium.
• Never release aquarium plants into natural waterways.

At a glance

• Free shipping on orders of $150 or more (after discounts) within the contiguous United States, by USPS.
• Free thermal protection is included with every shipment, all year round.
• Processing: most orders leave us within 1 to 2 business days. Tracking is emailed when your order ships.
• USPS (2 to 5 business days) ships Monday through Saturday.
• UPS 2nd Day Air® ships Monday through Wednesday. Order by Tuesday at 6:00 AM Pacific Time for same-week delivery.
• UPS Next Day Air® ships Monday through Thursday. Order by Wednesday at 6:00 AM Pacific Time for same-week delivery.
• Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands and military addresses ship by USPS at a flat rate shown at checkout.
• Weather holds: during extreme heat or cold we may hold live orders until it's safe to ship.
• We ship within the United States only.

Please bring live plants indoors and unpack them the day they arrive. Every live order is covered by our 24-Hour Live Arrival Guarantee.

The complete rules, including lost packages and address issues, are in our Shipping Policy. If anything conflicts, that policy applies.

Every live order is backed by our 24-Hour Live Arrival Guarantee. If a plant arrives dead, we'll make it right.

How it works

• Tell us within 24 hours of the delivery time on your tracking.
• Send photos of the affected items in their original, unopened packaging, plus a photo of the shipping label, to hello@aquariumplantsfactory.com with your order number.
• We'll make it right with a replacement, store credit or refund for the affected item.

Good to know

• Some melting or yellowing as plants adjust from greenhouse to aquarium life is normal. They regrow from healthy roots and rhizomes.
• Please bring your package indoors and unpack it the day it arrives.
• Free promotional items and shipping charges are not covered.

The complete rules, including what's covered and what voids the guarantee, are in our Returns, Refunds & Live Arrival Guarantee. If anything conflicts, that policy applies.

Please review your state's regulations on restricted plants, as we are committed to not shipping plants that are restricted in your area. Do not release any plants into the wild or waterways, as this can harm local ecosystems by introducing invasive species.

Your cooperation in protecting the environment is appreciated. For continuously updated information, refer to the USDA State Noxious Weed list here.

Thank you for your responsible commitment to environmental preservation.