Only aquatic plants, as defined below, are eligible for this program.
An aquatic plant is defined as a plant that can live, grow and propagate while submerged in water for a period of more than one year.
Floating plants are also eligible. They are considered floating if their natural state is to be floating on top of the water and not rooted in any substrate. They must be able to live, grow and propagate in this state.
Marginal, marsh or bog plants are not eligible for this program. These plants live, grow and propagate while partly or mostly submerged. They may be submerged periodically, but this is not the state in which they thrive. Typically, they are not able to live, grow or propagate in a continually submerged state.
Eligibility criteria include:
Stem (or bunch-type) plants need to include at least four stems. Stem plants should be pruned at least twice while under the aquarist's care. Replant them each time to grow out. Submitted plants should be roughly the same size as the initial plants.
Rooted plants should be roughly 1/4-1/3 the size of the mother plant and have a full set of roots. Runners without roots will not be considered eligible for HAP points.
Floating plants and mosses need to have at least doubled in amount while under the aquarist's care before being submitted for HAP. If possible, please submit a golf ball sized clump of floating plants or mosses for HAP consideration.
All flowering submissions must be accompanied by a photograph or be verified by the HAP chair or a BOD member.
Any HAP-able plant with a point value of 20 or more must be verified by the HAP chair or a BOD member.
Find some new plants that aren't in the data bank? Super! We love to see these. Talk to the HAP chair to discuss proper point values when you bring the plants in.
Questions regarding eligibility should be brought to the attention of the HAP Chair. Decisions of the HAP Chair are final