Syringodium filiforme
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Syringodium filiforme

Manatee grass · Eelgrass

Tier 2 Difficulty: medium Water: low Light: full_sun
Temperature
20–37 °C
Hardiness
Zone 9–11
Click count
1
Observations
1

Description

Source: wikipedia (CC BY-SA)

Syringodium filiforme, commonly known as manatee grass, is a species of marine seagrass. It forms meadows in shallow sandy or muddy locations in the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, and is also found in the Bahamas and Bermuda. It occurs to a depth of about 20 m (66 ft), and even deeper where water is very clear.

Care Guide

💧 Water

Manatee grass flourishes in coastal marine environments, where it needs consistent moisture, much like its natural oceanic habitat. To mimic its native conditions, water it weekly to ensure it remains hydrated. While it can endure short periods of drought, its growth and reproduction are influenced by changes in water temperature, which affect its vigor and seasonal life cycle.

☀️ Light Full sun

Manatee grass is found in sunny habitats, such as the shallow margins of ponds and lakes. It prefers full sun, although it can tolerate partial sun.

Ideal: Full sun
🌡️ Temperature 20–37.8°C

Manatee grass comes from tropical areas, where the climate is usually warm and humid. Consequently, it is adapted to high heat and humidity. It is sensitive to sudden temperature changes and prefers a consistent temperature, so avoiding temperature fluctuations indoors is important. It generally cannot tolerate cold and needs warmer conditions to grow. If the surrounding temperature falls too low, the plant may stop growing or even die.

Ideal temperature: 20–37.8°C
💨 Humidity
Humidity:
🪴 Soil
🌱 Fertilizer
🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning

Manatee grass is a marine plant characterized by its slender, cylindrical leaves. To encourage growth, it is best to prune it from early to late spring, removing any damaged leaves close to the base. However, be careful not to over-prune, as this can disrupt the ecosystem’s natural balance. With proper care, manatee grass will not only thrive but also enhance the resilience and beauty of the underwater habitat.

🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity

Characteristics

Plant Type
Herb
Life Cycle
Perennial
Genus
Syringodium
Family
Cymodoceaceae
Hardiness Zone
9-11
Mature Height
30 cm to 61 cm
Mature Spread
20 cm to 40 cm
Leaf Color
Sea Green
Leaf Type
Semi-evergreen
Bloom Time
Late spring, Summer
Planting Time
Spring
Harvest Time
Late summer, Fall
Native Area
Colombia, Bahamas, Belize, Cuba, Honduras, Mexico, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Jamaica

Tags (5)

Common Names (2)

en Manatee grass
en Eelgrass