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Onion Plant

Water Onion

Onion PlantCrinum thaianumPhoto © Animal-World

   The Onion Plant is a great and hardy plant for many aquariums because it's leaves are extremely tough, making it suitable for aquariums with larger fish!

   Onion Plants are easy to care for and adapt well to most aquarium environments. They can grow to an impressive height of 60 inches (150 cm), with their leaves being about 0.8 inches (2 cm) across. Their leaves are extremely long and ribbonlike, and will start growing along the surface of the water once they reach it. Once they are well established you can cut the leaves back some to keep them from growing too long. Because of their height and long leaves they make great background plants for aquariums.

   As long as the light is kept moderate to bright, Onion Plants will expend a moderate growth rate. As stated above, they adapt easily to most environments, so as long as the water is kept fertilized with nutrients, the water is cleaned on a regular basis, and the ph is kept around neutral, this plant should thrive. It is also relatively easy to propagate by simply planting the daughter bulbs that are produced.

For more Information on keeping a planted aquarium see:
About Planted Aquariums, Adding Aquatic Plants For a Healthy Aquarium

Distribution:    They originate in Thailand.

Water conditions:    Temperature: 72-86° F (22-30° C)
   pH: 5.5 - 7.0
   dCH: 2-10

Lighting:
   Light level: Moderate to Bright

Propagation:    The Onion Plant propagates by way of daughter bulbs.

Availability:    Onion Plants are readily available.

Author: Jasmine Brough

• Crinum thaianum : $7.99

Crinum Thaianum Onion Plant Offered By: That Pet Place Price: $7.99

Lastest Comments on Water Onion Plant View all 4 comments on Water Onion Plant Add Your Comment

Ngo Huong Tra - 2010-11-16 Maybe this is kind of stupid, but is this plant edible? (eat-able?) Click For Replies (2) spencer - 2011-01-07 To you, it tastes horrible but to the fishes, it tastes nice. Angie - 2012-01-26 NO. It's NOT an actual onion. It's poisonous if ingested. Most fish and other aquatic life leave it ALONE due to the fact, that it doesn't taste good to them. Hoped I helped! :D Reply

alex - 2011-06-26 I bought some moneywort from petsmart, and a leaf of onion plant made it into the bag (and my tank), do you think this will grow? Click For Replies (1) Charlie Roche - 2011-06-27 Might as well try. Usually they propagate via the offshoot bulbs. I have no idea if a leaf can actually root but no reason not to try. Right? Reply

Julia - 2008-01-29 This plant is one of my favorites. It's so pretty and bright green. It seems to be sensitive to substrate and water conditions though. My African Cichlids seem to tear up just about everything, but they leave this plant alone. Click For Replies (1) Nick - 2011-05-03 I am looking for water onion bulbs in Toronto, Canada but cant find them anymore. If you know anywhere or your willing to sell me 3-4 bulbs let me know. Thanks Reply

Beth Spirko - 2011-03-18 I got a water onion recently. It was the only bulb in an assortment pack that grew, even though there was a beautiful Aponogeton crispus in the bunch. Anyhow, one of my fish found the Crinium/water onion delicious. At first, there was a little nibble out of it near the base. Soon, the entire root meristem was gone. The rest of a bulb is all leaves, so it's pretty much dead. I've decided, however, to leave it in & let the hungry muncher finish his/her feast. I'm a bit bummed, though. I keep having silly thoughts like "Bulbs are full of parenchyma (somewhat undifferentiated plant storage & bulk structural cells, almost like plant "stem cells"). A culture in the right medium, & I'm back in business." Clearly, it's not worth the hassle for one of the most affordable aquatic plants. Besides, I personally don't know the techniques. I once knew someone who did, & I bet it's getting more mainstream... Recently, I gave away my aloe. Perhaps I'll see if what's left of my crinium is as good as its reputation for skin treatment... Reply

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