Taiwan Moss
Taxiphyllum alternans
Also sold as Taxiphyllum sp. Taiwan
Taiwan Moss (Taxiphyllum alternans) is a moss for rock and wood and the foreground, growing to about 4 cm (1.6 in) at a moderate pace. It wants 64–79°F (18–26°C), low light and no CO₂, and counts as an easy plant to keep alive.
At a glance
| Type | Moss |
|---|---|
| Light | LowThe least light it survives in, not the light it looks best in. |
| CO₂ | Not neededWhether it survives without added CO₂ — not whether CO₂ would help it grow faster. |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Temperature | 64–79°F (18–26°C) |
| Max height | 4 cm (1.6 in)Grown submersed, left to mature, never trimmed. |
| Growth rate | Moderate |
| Placement | attached to rock or wood |
| pH | 5.5–7.5 |
Before it goes in
- Taiwan Moss lives under a plain low-light LED — it does not need a planted-tank lamp to survive.
- It grows without CO₂.
- Glue or tie it to rock or wood. Buried in the substrate the rhizome rots, which is the usual way Taiwan Moss is killed.
- It stays around 4 cm (1.6 in), low enough to keep the front glass clear.
Can it grow without CO₂?
Yes. Taiwan Moss does not need CO₂ at all.
How much light does it need?
Low light is enough — and that is the survival line, not the “it looks better” line.
How big does it get?
About 4 cm (1.6 in) tall when it is mature and untrimmed, growing at a moderate pace, after roughly 3 weeks to root in.
Can I attach it to wood or rock?
Yes, and that is the only way to keep it. Glue or tie it down; buried in the substrate the rhizome rots.
What it goes with
- Plants that run on the same light and CO₂, so they can share a tank without one of them being the odd one out: Hygrophila corymbosa 'Siamensis', Water Sprite, Anubias nana 'Petite' and Cryptocoryne wendtii.
- Animals that share its temperature range and will not eat or uproot it: Betta, Cherry Shrimp, Angelfish and Bristlenose Pleco.
Often compared with
| Taiwan Moss | Peacock Moss | Java Moss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light | Low | Low | Low |
| CO₂ | Not needed | Not needed | Not needed |
| Max height | 4 cm | 4 cm | 5 cm |
| Difficulty | Easy | Easy | Easy |
More plants
Sources (1)
- Lighttropica.comSep 2026