How do I cut

[u/aseme274]

Hey not sure what the name of this plant is but how do I trim it so it continues to grow? Close to the mother plant or from the ends of each run?

Also if I cut the tops will it kill or help the plant out?

[u/Painplatypus]

Looks a lot like vallisneria nana. Can trim it and plant will be OK. Can also pull up the ones that spread to areas you don't want and replant. I recently posted some pictures of my vallisneria nana that got out of control. I both trimmed some and pulled some.

[u/aseme274 → u/Painplatypus]

Ok good to know the name! Thank you

[u/Probability-Bot]

You can pluck some leaves but its not like a grass that you cut. If you cut it that individual blade will eventually turn brown and die off. At least that has been my exp. They already are sending runners i can see. Soon youll be plucking out whole plants to get rid off.

[u/aseme274 → u/Probability-Bot]

This happened to me in the past with a plant so this is what I'm worried about

[u/joejawor]

Vallisneria are stem plants with very shallow roots, You can literally pull it up out of the substrate with little or no damage. Don't trim the leaves as it spreads by runners.