Defining Characteristics: 

• Often misidentified in the hobby as Pellia, this plant is actually a liverwort. It lacks true leaves and stems, growing instead as a thallus—which is essentially a flat, fleshy, green ribbon that branches out beautifully as it matures.
• Because it does not have a complex vascular system, it absorbs moisture and nutrients directly through its fleshy tissues. It anchors itself using tiny hair-like structures called rhizoids rather than true roots. This makes it incredibly adaptable to being attached to hardscape or grown directly on moist soil.
• When you place Monosolenium tenerum in a vivarium, you are installing a thriving micro-ecosystem. The dense, overlapping growth habit creates a labyrinth of tiny, humid pockets. This greatly benefits isopods and springtails, dart frogs, and small aquatic life.
• Monosolenium tenerum is a remarkably safe plant. It contains no known toxins, irritating saps, or sharp edges.

Scientific Name: Monosolenium tenerum

Common Name(s): Monosolenium tenerum is commonly known as Pellia, Pellia moss, or sometimes Süsswassertang in the aquarium hobby. Although often called a moss, it is actually a species of liverwort. It is frequently confused with Pellia endiviifolia or Lomariopsis lineata, with "Pellia" being the most common, yet technically inaccurate, name.

Tank Position: Foreground or midground

Growing Conditions: Best attached to rocks, driftwood, or in gaps, as it is heavier than water and does not float. We highly recommend using Josh's Frogs Tropical BioBedding or our classic ABG Mix. Both substrates drain exceptionally well while retaining surface moisture. You can gently press fragments of the liverwort directly onto the damp soil, or use a bit of superglue gel to attach it to cork bark near the bottom of your hardscape where humidity is highest.

Temperature Requirement (°F):This plant prefers a cooler to moderate climate. The optimal temperature range for lush, compact growth is between 59 and 77°F. An acceptable range stretches from 50 to 82 degrees. Prolonged exposure to temperatures above 82 degrees can cause the thallus to become stringy, pale, and eventually melt away.

Lighting: Under low to moderate light, the plant will stretch upward, growing taller, thinner, and slightly more sparse as it reaches for the energy source. To achieve the dense, compact, bush-like mounds that look so incredible in a vivarium, you need moderate to high light. We rely heavily on Josh’s Frogs Green Gro LEDs for this exact purpose. The bright, penetrating diodes encourage the liverwort to grow horizontally rather than vertically.

Water pH: 5.0 - 8.0 

CO₂ Requirements: Monosolenium tenerum (Pellia) has very low CO₂ requirements and can thrive in aquariums without CO₂ injection, though supplementation (15–30 mg/L) improves growth speed and density. It is considered a low-maintenance, easy-to-grow plant that thrives in low to medium light with or without added CO₂.

Growth Rate: Moderate

Height: 1–2 inches

Origin: Asia, specifically found in India, China, Taiwan, and Japan

Regional Locality: It thrives in shaded, marshy areas, growing over wet soils and rocks near streams. It is an ancient lineage of plants that evolved to exploit edge environments where water meets land.

USDA Hardiness Zone: Monosolenium tenerum (commonly known as Pellia) is a tropical to subtropical liverwort, not a typical garden plant, and therefore does not have an official USDA Zone rating. 

However, based on its cultivation requirements, it is generally treated as a tropical plant and would grow well in zones 9-11.

Suggested Vivarium/ Animal Terrarium Use:

Care Notes: If you are growing this plant fully submerged in an aquatic setup under strong LEDs, it will regularly pearl. This means it is photosynthesizing so rapidly that visible bubbles of oxygen form on the edges of the thallus before floating to the surface. Just be mindful that high light in an aquatic setting must be balanced with adequate nutrients, otherwise hair algae can begin to tangle itself in the delicate structure of the plant.

When establishing Monosolenium tenerum in your enclosure, patience is key. It is brittle, and pieces will inevitably snap off during planting. Do not throw those broken pieces away. Simply tuck them into moist crevices around your tank; each tiny fragment has the potential to grow into a brand new, thriving colony.

Josh's Frogs offers a wide variety of aquarium supplies for all of your aquatic needs. 

Shipping Notes: Generous LIVE ARRIVAL GUARANTEE offered.

Live plants may vary in color, size, and appearance.