Popular aquarium plant genus Hygrophila is prized for its eye-catching appearance and low maintenance requirements. Their vivid green foliage and versatility make these plants a favorite among novice and seasoned aquarists alike. Hygrophila species are adaptable and can flourish in a range of water conditions, which makes them a great option for a variety of aquarium setups.
Rapid growth is one of the most attractive features of Hygrophila. This makes it a great choice for giving your tank a lush, natural appearance and swiftly filling up empty space. Hygrophila plants can also help maintain a healthier aquarium environment by absorbing excess nutrients and enhancing water quality.
Hygrophila requires little upkeep in terms of maintenance. These plants can thrive in both high-tech and low-tech aquariums and typically need moderate light. Their versatility in handling various water conditions, ranging from soft to hard, further enhances their allure for numerous aquarium aficionados.
All things considered, Hygrophila provides an excellent, low-maintenance method of improving your aquarium. It is a fantastic option for anyone wishing to create a vibrant aquatic environment because of its strong nature and attractive charm. Hygrophila can improve the aesthetics and health of your aquarium, regardless of your level of experience with aquaristing.
Feature | Description |
Scientific Name | Hygrophila |
Common Types | Hygrophila polysperma, Hygrophila difformis |
Light Requirements | Moderate to high |
Growth Rate | Fast |
Water Conditions | pH 6.0-7.5, temperature 22-28°C |
Propagation | Cuttings |
Care Level | Easy |
Uses | Background plant, good for aquascaping |
- Long -leaved hygrophil (Hygrophila Spec, Longifolia)
- Reddish hygrophila (Hygrophila spec. "Reddish")
- Hygrophila polysperma
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Long -leaved hygrophil (Hygrophila Spec, Longifolia)
Name distribution is conditional. Undoubtedly, the viewpoint is undefined. Acanthaceae is the family Acanth. homeland—most likely Southeast Asia.
Plant with a long stem. This species has grown more and more popular among aquarists in recent years. The plant has a stunning appearance in an aquarium because of its original shape. The paired leaves have a length of 20 cm and a width of roughly 1.5 cm. The brown or dark green central vein is easily seen. The plant requires a tall aquarium to sustain it because it rises to the water’s surface and takes flight. Hygrophila is positioned in the background and close to the side walls. It grows in an aquarium year-round and is comparatively tolerant of the conditions of keeping.
The best habitat for Hygrophila is a tropical aquarium. Although it can be successfully grown at a higher temperature, the ideal range is 22 to 26 °C. The temperature will stop growing if it falls below 22 °C. At least 8 ° should be the medium hardness of the water. Neutral or slightly alkaline (pH 7–8.5) is the active reaction. Older leaves of the plant wither quickly in soft, acidic water. It is required to replace 1/4 to 1/5 of the water volume at least once a week.
Hygrophila needs lighting that is extremely bright. When there is insufficient light, leaves shrink in size and turn yellow. Old leaves quickly lose their quality. Lighting can be done with either artificial or natural light. You can use fluorescent and incandescent lamps to create artificial lighting. For every liter of water, the latter should have a power of roughly 0.5 W. When leaves are illuminated by incandescent lamps, their color is enhanced: the central vein of old leaves maintains its original hue, while young leaves take on a brown hue. There should be roughly twelve hours of daylight each day.
Long-leaved hygrophila plants require fertile soil. This plant has a very well-developed root system. It gives the plant its primary nourishment. It is advisable to add a small amount of clay when planting in newly created soil; this can be done in conjunction with peat. In the future, hygrophila growth will be ensured by the soil’s natural silting process. As a substrate, sand and small to medium-sized pebbles can be utilized.
As long as the soil is kept in good condition, the plant can obtain all the nutrition it needs without the need for additional mineral fertilizer.
By splitting the creeping rhizome and cutting the stem, hygrophila reproduces vegetatively. In this instance, cutting the stem into tiny pieces will cause the plant to grow more slowly. It is best to remove entire shoots that are no smaller than 10 to 12 cm.
Although the plant can be grown in a humid greenhouse, the leaves will grow much shorter, denser, and darker in color. In an atmosphere with air, long-leaved hygrophila grows considerably more quickly than other members of the genus.
Reddish hygrophila (Hygrophila spec. "Reddish")
The family Acanthaceae is Acanthaceae. The homeland, which is most likely Southeast Asia’s tropical regions, is not precisely identified.
It is rare to find Hygrophila rubra in aquariums. The plant has a long stem and pairs of thin, fragile reddish-brown leaves that are arranged on the stem. The leaves measure 7-8 cm in length and roughly 5 mm in width. The stem’s length may have an important bearing. Any size aquarium can be used to grow hydrophila, although it prefers a low water level. Typically, the plant is positioned close to the aquarium’s side walls, where more side lighting can be added for it. It grows continuously in an aquarium from year to year.
Hygrophila feels content when the temperature is higher than 24 °C. Its growth rate slows down and the color of the leaves dulls in colder water. It is preferable to maintain a neutral or slightly alkaline reaction with medium-hard water. The color of the leaves becomes duller and loses its reddish-brown hue in soft, acidic water. Old leaves wither away quickly. The ideal parameters are pH 6.5 to 8 and water hardness of 8 to 12°. The plant likes its water to be fresh and changed frequently.
Particular attention should be paid to lighting. With insufficient light, hygrophila stretches out a lot and loses its beautiful color. In addition, its lower leaves quickly die and the stem becomes bare. Overhead light, even very bright, is not always sufficient for hygrophila. Therefore, using fluorescent lamps as lighting, the power of which can be about 0.4 W per 1 liter of volume, additional side lighting with incandescent lamps with a power of 25 – 40 W is installed along the edges of the aquarium where the reddish hygrophila is grown. Natural light, especially diffused sunlight, is very favorable for the growth of hygrophila. Daylight should be about 12 hours.
Since hygrophila’s root system is so underdeveloped, the type of soil it is in doesn’t really matter. Although the plant can be grown floating in the water column, even in well-lit aquariums, it will grow smaller and lose color. River sand makes an excellent substrate because it naturally silts up enough to allow hygrophila to grow there satisfactorily.
In an aquarium, hygrophila are vegetatively propagated, typically using stem cuttings. Each cutting ought to have three to four leaf whorls. These cuttings can be allowed to float on the water’s surface until roots start to grow. Since new shoots grow on the remaining lower portion of the stem, it is not recommended to remove it. Removing the top causes hygrophila to bush out.
This species can be grown in a paludarium just as successfully as others, but the leaves are shortened, turn a dark green color, and the plant becomes unattractive. When such a plant is placed in an aquarium, it grows almost continuously and regains its aesthetic appeal.
Hygrophila polysperma
Family Acanthaceae. Southeast Asian homeland.
Another name for this plant is "Indian star." A popular plant among aquarists, it has oval light green leaves on a long stem. Its stems have a significant maximum length. Hygrophila can be grown in any size aquarium and placed in the background. It grows continuously in an aquarium from year to year.
The plant should ideally be kept in a tropical aquarium with a temperature between 24 and 28 °C. It grows poorly when the water temperature is below 22 °C. The water is mildly acidic and soft. More than 8 ° hardness causes growth to deteriorate, lower leaves to disintegrate, and upper leaves to shrink. Water needs to be changed on a regular basis.
The light green color of the leaves indicates that the lighting should be bright. The aquarium can be made bright by using both artificial and natural light. Hygrophila should be covered if the aquarium is exposed to direct sunlight.
Although incandescent lamps can also be used, fluorescent lamps of the LB type are better suited for artificial lighting. The following ratio should be used as a starting point when determining the power of lighting fixtures: 0.4 to 0.5 W for fluorescent lights per liter of capacity. Incandescent light bulbs should have roughly three times the power. There are at least 12 hours of daylight per day. The stem starts to strongly stretch out when there is not enough light, and the leaves shrink considerably.
A slightly silted soil with small pebbles or coarse sand is ideal for growing Hygrophila polysperma. The plant is content with the soil’s natural silting and doesn’t need any additional feeding.
Complex mineral fertilizers are required if the plants in the aquarium are growing rapidly and in large numbers. A weekly water change of ten liters is combined with the addition of 1.5 to 2 g of fertilizer.
Stem cuttings are a very simple way to propagate Hygrophila. To deepen the bottom pair of leaves in this situation, the sections of the stem with four to five whorls of leaves should be planted in the ground right away. The root system quickly takes shape.
Hygrophila cannot be grown floating in the water column because its root system actively participates in nutrient absorption and grows very poorly above ground. The floating plant grows more slowly and has smaller leaves.
The multi-soda hygrophile is a marsh plant that grows well in a humid greenhouse and a palyudarium, just like other hygrophile species. Growing in the air is not difficult; the plant grows quickly in bright light and a moist environment with reasonable nutrition.
For aquarium enthusiasts who want to add some vibrant greenery to their tanks, hydrophila is a great option. This plant is well-liked because it requires little maintenance and is versatile, making it appropriate for both novice and seasoned aquarium keepers. With its wide range of species, Hygrophila can be added to almost any aquarium setup, adding visual interest as well as useful features like improving water quality and giving fish cover.
Hygrophila’s quick growth is one of its main advantages; it keeps your tank looking healthy and new by outcompeting algae. Although it can grow in a variety of water conditions and lighting environments, it usually does best in moderate to high light. It can be kept looking its best and kept from taking over your tank or overshadowing other plants with regular trimming.
Hygrophila is a beautiful and adaptable choice for creating a lush, green backdrop or adding some variety to your aquatic landscape. You can have a lovely, healthy aquarium without making a lot of noise thanks to its resilience and low-maintenance characteristics. Try Hygrophila and see how vibrant, healthy plant life grows in your tank!
A popular and adaptable aquatic plant, hygrophila brings vivid greenery to any aquarium design. It is well-known for growing quickly and with resilience, making it an excellent option for novice and seasoned hobbyists alike. Hygrophila not only adds beauty to your tank but also helps maintain a healthy environment by absorbing excess nutrients and providing oxygen. It can thrive in a variety of water conditions and light levels. The fundamentals of Hygrophila care, including planting advice, upkeep, and successful integration into your aquatic landscape, are covered in this article.