Christmas Moss

Christmas moss (Vesicularia sp.), also sold as Xmas moss, is named for the triangular, fir-tree shape its fronds take on as they mature. It is one of the most forgiving aquarium mosses in the hobby: it clings to driftwood, stone, mesh and cholla, and it gives shrimp and fry a dense place to graze and hide. Each order ships as a golf-ball sized portion of live, healthy moss.

Care is simple. Christmas moss holds pH between 6 and 8, grows in low to medium light, and does not require CO2 — though injected CO2 and moderate light will tighten the fronds and speed growth noticeably. Growth is slow to moderate, so it stays tidy between trims. Tie or glue it to hardscape in the foreground or midground, keep gentle flow across it to prevent detritus buildup, and propagate simply by cutting a section and attaching it elsewhere.