Hygrophila: 8 species, photo, maintenance of an aquarium plant

Hygrophila is an aquatic plant of the Dicotyledonous Flowering genus and belongs to the Acanthus family. Lives in water, half submerged to the bottom. There are more than 100 varieties of this plant, which differ in color, leaf shape and size. Hygrophila is native to the southeastern regions of Asia with a humid tropical climate. All types of plants can grow both in aquatic environments and on land.

The aquarium space is also suitable for the life of this plant. At a temperature of 18-28°C, it will take root well in a tropical aquarium, purifying the water from nitrates and harmful impurities.

Homeland - reservoirs of Southeast Asia.

This plant has many varieties, differing in color, leaf shape and size.

When well maintained, the leaves have a bright green color and are well elongated in length. The leaves are arranged in pairs, opposite each other. Moreover, each subsequent pair grows perpendicular to the previous one.

Hygrophila is an unpretentious plant. Comfortable temperature for keeping it is 18°-30°C. The plant requires nutritious soil and bright, long-lasting lighting. If good maintenance conditions are observed, the plant turns out beautiful, with large bushes, which in turn increases its decorative value and serves as a decoration for the aquarium.

Hygrophila easily propagates vegetatively - by cuttings. The stem of the plant is divided into pieces containing 5-6 whorls of leaves. The pieces are planted in the ground with the lower pair of whorls buried.

Botanical description and natural habitat

Belongs to the Acanthus family, genus Flowering Dicotyledons. There are about 100 varieties of Hygrophila, which differ from each other in the color and shape of the leaves, as well as the size of the bushes. The homeland of this plant is considered to be Southeast Asia, where a humid tropical climate prevails. Moreover, it can grow both on land and in water, being essentially an amphibian. Prefers bodies of water with a slow flow (small rivers, channels) or without it (wetlands, for example, lakes and ponds). Favorite location: shallow water with plenty of sun, avoids shady areas. The optimal temperature range for growth is from +18…+30 °C. Loves nutritious soil.

Photo gallery Hygrophila:

Outwardly it looks like bushes with small, long, elongated leaves arranged in pairs. The color in natural conditions is rich green on top, and silver on the back. They can reach 20 cm in length and about 2 cm in width. Under optimal conditions, the plant can grow up to 20-30 cm in height, and up to 15 cm to the sides.

It propagates vegetatively, that is, by parts of the stem or leaves. Due to the almost continuous cycle of rebirth, the exact lifespan is impossible to determine.

Name variations

Hygrophila loosestrife has many name variations.
This is due to the fact that when looking at a plant many associations arise. The official name “willow leaf” was obtained due to the similarity of this aquatic plant to the weeping willow. The name “hygrophila angustifolia” was given much later.

Many people confuse hygrophila and salicyfolia loosestrife. But these are two different plants; there is also Hygrophila sinema or Hygrophila Schisandra.

Hygrophila has very narrow and long leaves

“Hygrophila longifolia” is a newer name, also found in the scientific literature. All variations in the names of this plant are associated with the external characteristics of hygrophila. It really has very narrow and long leaves that resemble willow.

Mr. Tail recommends: varieties

A large number of varieties have now been bred for keeping in aquarium conditions. Among the most popular are the following.

Polyspermous marbled Hygrophila

Most popular among aquarists with little experience. The leaves are oval in shape, reach 6 cm in length and 3 cm in width. They are colored light green in water and red-burgundy in air. Thanks to the veins of white, orange, red, yellow, it produces an unusual pattern, for which it is valued. The stem is elongated. The bushes grow up to 40 cm in height and 10 cm in circumference.

Feels good in any aquarium, regardless of its size. With sufficiently intense lighting, the species tends to turn red foliage. For this variety, it is preferable to use fairly fine soil; the diameter of the grains of sand should be no more than 3-4 mm. With prolonged (at least 10 hours) and intense lighting it grows more abundantly.

If there is a lack of light, it begins to stretch in length and the size and number of leaves decreases, which spoils the appearance of the plant.

Hygrophila varifolia or sinema

This is a very popular variety among aquarists. It has a fairly long stem, the shape of the leaves varies depending on the light intensity. They can be oval or large-cut. It is unpretentious to living conditions and can grow in an aquarium of any size. Usually planted in the center, as it is very beautiful and will be a highlight.

Prefers warm water from +24...+26 °C, but can easily withstand temperatures down to +20 °C. Under cool conditions, it begins to grow more slowly.

If the lighting is natural or moderate artificial, small oval sheets form on Hygrophile; when the light intensity increases, they increase in size and become carved, openwork, patterned.

Another unusual feature of this species of Hygrophila is that it can either simply float in water or take root in the soil. With both types of accommodation he feels equally good. For planting in the ground, you should give preference to a mixture of sand with small pebbles with the addition of peat and clay, but it also grows quietly in larger masses. The thickness of the soil layer does not have strict parameters; any will do.

It propagates, like other varieties, by cuttings; you can also leave a torn leaf floating in the water and after a while roots will appear on it. After this, it can be planted in the ground.

This Hygrophil species grows well in greenhouses with high air humidity. It is enough to transplant the aquatic plant with its roots into nutritious soil and ensure timely watering and spraying of the leaves.

Willow Hygrophila or longifolia

The largest representative of the family, it grows up to 40 cm long. It has long leaves (about 12 cm) of light green color with a smooth or jagged edge, similar to willow, which is how it got its name. Moreover, the upper surface is slightly darker than the back.

If part of the plant peeks out of the water, small white flowers may appear located in the axils between the leaves.

Does well in taller aquariums as it tends to grow in length. Plant on the sides and at the back wall.

Loves intense lighting; lamps must have a power of at least 0.5 W per 1 liter of water and long daylight hours (about 10-12 hours). Under these conditions, the leaves take on a brown tint, and the middle vein remains green, which makes the plant unusual and expressive.

It is unpretentious to living conditions, but feels best in tropical aquariums with an ambient temperature of +22...+26 °C. It is important to choose the right soil; it must be sufficiently nutritious, because Hygrophila has a developed root system. To do this, mix a little peat and clay into the substrate (sand or small pebbles).

Hygrophila aguaia

It is classified as short, but very beautiful. The most demanding in terms of growing conditions, compared to other varieties. In its natural habitat it prefers to settle in the shallow waters of Brazilian and Japanese rivers. It was first discovered and described in 2006, but has already gained popularity among aquarists, both amateurs and professionals.

Hygrophila reddish

The rarest representative among aquarium varieties. The plant has a long stem with long and narrow leaves, colored brownish-red or pinkish. They are about 8 cm long and 0.5 cm wide.

Due to the ability of Hygrophila Russet to grow in height, it is worth placing it near the side and back walls of the aquarium. It is important to organize a long day of light (about 10-12 hours) with good intensity (0.4 W per 1 liter of water).

The temperature regime prefers around +24 °C; in colder environments, the color begins to fade, the lower leaves fall off, the trunk becomes thinner and elongated, causing it to lose its attractiveness.

Hygrophila pinnatifida

This is a very beautiful and unusual plant, loved by many aquarists. It grows quite slowly, but this is more of an advantage than a disadvantage. It can reach from 15 to 30 cm in length. The color of the foliage is variable and depends on the intensity and duration of lighting. It can be either green or reddish-burgundy with pink. The roots are extremely poorly developed, so nutritional value and soil fraction are not so important for it. It can even be attached to large bottom stones and snags.

It feels most comfortable in water +23…+26 °C and at a pH of 5.5-7.5.

If an aquarist wants to maintain a compact shape, then you need to monitor the lighting intensity (the lamp must be at least 5 W per 1 liter of container) and promptly remove side shoots. Looks best in compositions in the middle, next to taller species.

Hygrophila Schisandra Carimbosa

This species is also called Normophila straight or Thyroid. It has a long and strong stem with oval elongated leaves with a sharp tip. Painted light green on the top surface and silver on the back.

Looks best when planted along the sides and back walls of the aquarium.

It prefers water temperatures from +24...+27 °C, and grows more slowly in colder waters. The hardness should be about 8°; if it is less (softer), the sheets will become brittle and begin to collapse, thereby exposing the stem. It is necessary to change 1/3 of the water every 7 days.

Loves intense lighting and long daylight hours (at least 10 hours). If this condition is not met, the plant begins to feel unwell, which leads to the destruction of the foliage and a deterioration in the appearance for which it is so valued.

The soil should be nutritious and at least 5, and preferably 7 cm thick, because its roots are well developed.

Hygrophila siamese

Thailand is considered its homeland. Outwardly similar to lemongrass, but the leaves sometimes acquire a bluish and lilac tint. The roots are well developed, which requires a nutrient substrate in the soil and its thickness of 5-7 cm. When the plant rises above the water level, small blue flowers appear on the protruding parts.

This species is extremely unpretentious to the parameters of the aquatic environment, and therefore can be planted even by novice aquarium lovers. Grows at temperatures from +22...+28 °C, hardness 4-14° and pH from 5.5 to 8.

To ensure that the plant bushes and does not stretch upward, the tops are pinched, then numerous side shoots appear.

Purple leaves

Hygrophila violet is a rare hybrid form. It has a long stem and purple colored leaves. The leaf blades are located opposite. Hygrophila can grow in both low and high aquariums.

Hygrophila violet requires good lighting in an aquarium.

In containers of small height, it forms a lush surface part. It is usually planted near the side walls or in the background. Together with green plants, Hygrophila violet forms a beautiful bright group.

In order for the plant to maintain its intense color, it requires prolonged light. In addition to the overhead light, it is also necessary to organize side lighting. Duration of illumination - from 12 hours. If there is little light, the plant will become very elongated, and its leaves will become crushed and lose their purple color.

Hygrophila requires nutritious soil from coarse sand and mineral fertilizing. In this case, it forms lush bushes with brightly colored leaves. The water temperature should be from +24° to +28°C. The plant needs soft water - if it is too hard it becomes fragile.

Hygrophila purpurea is propagated by cuttings. To make them, a healthy plant stem is cut into pieces with two or three pairs of leaves. The cuttings are left to float in the aquarium until roots appear, after which they are planted in the ground.

Aquarium Basics

Like any plant, Hygrophila has its own maintenance characteristics and requirements for water parameters. It is important to pay attention to the following.

Priming

It should be fine, silty, small fractions of sand or pebbles, with a diameter of about 3-4 mm, work well. There are also increased requirements for its nutritional value, since Hygrophila has a developed root system. To do this, clay and peat are added to the substrate in small quantities. The soil is poured onto the bottom with a thickness of 4-6 cm. This is most optimal for the plant.

Requirements for water parameters

If they are followed, the plant will grow well and delight with its appearance. These include:

• Temperature. Should fluctuate between +20…+26 °C.
• Hardness from 3 to 15 °. In harder water, the stem becomes thin and brittle, and the leaves become thinner.
• Acidity is most optimal in the range of 6.5-7.5 pH.
• A weekly change of 30% of the water to settled water is required.
• Careful filtration is required. Any medium power device will do.
• It is unpretentious to aeration, but you should not run the aquarium too much, otherwise the leaves will begin to die and thin out, which will affect the appearance of the plant.

Aquarium dimensions

They depend on how many Hygrophila bushes and what varieties the aquarist is going to plant. On average, the width of each plant reaches about 15 cm, and the optimal distance between them should be 5-10 cm. This will ensure quiet growth and protect against intertwining of root systems, which can negatively affect the growth and beauty of Hygrophila.

Lighting

It can be: natural, artificial, but the most optimally combined. At the same time, it is worth protecting Hygrophila from direct sunlight, as it can cause burns and yellowing of the sheets.

Lamps (preferably fluorescent) with medium or low power are suitable, that is, they are purchased at the rate of 0.5 to 0.6 W per 1 liter of water. It is important not to forget about the duration of daylight hours; it should be 10-12 hours.

Compatibility with other inhabitants in the aquarium

Aquarists do not recommend planting Hygrophila willow next to large aquarium snails. These slow-moving creatures can feast on hygrophila and nibble on its foliage. Achatina and Neretina are partial to sea plants, so they will quickly render the leaves unusable.

But for schooling fish, hygrophila will be a real salvation. These species will get along well with each other. Guppies, tetras and swordtails will hide in the bushes and lay eggs in them.

Hygrophila gets along well with bottom fish

Hygrophila over time acquires a powerful root system. This means it will get along well with bottom-dwelling fish. Among them are catfish and other representatives of calm and slow aquarium inhabitants who do not like active movement and are accustomed to burying themselves in the ground.

Diseases and pests

If the rules for caring for Hygrophila are violated, it grows greatly and protrudes above the water level. Therefore, it is important to monitor its length and trim overgrown bushes in time. When outside the aquatic environment, the sheets can get burned and turn yellow; in this case, reduce the intensity of artificial lighting and remove them from direct sunlight (in natural conditions).

When the bush weakens, the stem becomes brittle and the foliage turns pale, you should pay attention to the parameters of the aquatic environment and normalize them. After this, she will return to her original beauty.

Hygrophila is a very beautiful and unusual plant, which, with proper care and maintenance, will delight you with its appearance for many years.

Benefits for the aquarium

This is a very useful plant for the aquarium. The benefits of hygrophila loosestrife are expressed in the following:

• It can process nitrates contained in water, gradually reducing their amount to zero.
• The plant filters and at the same time purifies the water, thus saving the fish from the possibility of getting sick.
• Hygrophila saturates the water with oxygen, which is also necessary for the comfortable life of fish.
• Many species prefer to lay their eggs in these dense thickets. The fry will feel protected in the hygrophila leaves and will be able to grow to large sizes.

  
  Many species prefer to lay their eggs in these dense thickets.

Reproduction methods

The main method of propagation of all these plants is cuttings. It is best to use whole shoots for propagation that are at least 10 cm long. Then development will occur quickly and without unnecessary problems.

Propagation by cuttings should be carried out only with sufficiently mature plants. Only sprouted young shoots should not be divided into cuttings. In general, you can follow the usual rules for this process for other plants when taking cuttings. You can also plant seeds, but this is a longer process.

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Links

Hygrophiles in the aquarium - V. Grachev, Aquarium Magazine No. 3, 2001

Categories:

• Plants in alphabetical order
• Aquarium plants
• Flora of Southeast Asia
• Acanthus

See what “Hygrophila polysperma” is in other dictionaries:

• Aquarium plants - Aquarium plants are aquatic or marsh plants that can live in artificial conditions and are used for the interior decoration of aquariums. In fact, they can be classified as ornamental plants... Wikipedia

Hygrophila and its varieties.

Features of care

Such an unpretentious plant as Hygrophila polyspermae adapts well to any living conditions. It takes its main nutrients from the aquatic environment, so this species is used both when starting a new aquarium and to maintain water quality in a mature reservoir.

The plant is characterized by active growth throughout the year; under optimal conditions, the growth in stem length is 3-4 cm per week. It is recommended to grow Hygrophila in aquariums of 40 liters or more, since in smaller volumes it can displace other aquatic plants.

Optimal conditions of detention:

• water temperature – 24-28 degrees;
• lighting – 0.4-0.5 W per 1 liter of water;
• daylight hours - 10-12 hours;
• hardness – 5° dH;
• acidity – 6-8 pH;
• soil – fine fraction (sand, pebbles).

Maintaining the chemical composition of water, light intensity and temperature at the proper level allows for rapid growth of polyspermous hygrophila.

When the conditions of maintenance change in one direction or another, development slows down and the decorative appearance of the plant deteriorates.

For example, if the light intensity is weak, the hygrophila stem becomes longer and the leaves become smaller and sparser. Increasing water hardness above 8° dH leads to yellowing and rotting of the plant.

Buy Hygrophila polysperma or Indian or Swampweed (Hygrophila polysperma)

Hygrophila loosestrife

Hygrophila angustifolia (lat. Hygrophila angustifolia) is a large plant, reaching a height of up to 40 cm.

It has even narrow leaves from 7 to 12 cm long, a well-developed root system. Under favorable conditions, it forms dense thickets.

On average, each plant grows 2-3 new leaves per month. It can be grown either completely submerged in water or in a paludarium or terrarium with high humidity.

The optimal temperature is 23-25 ​​degrees, moderate lighting, medium hardness (9-12 dH), coarse-grained soil.

Reproduction

Reproduction methods:

• Cuttings. 4 whorls provide the best acceptability. It is planted in separate pots, which are illuminated and washed by the current in different ways. Excess organic matter is undesirable.
• Leaves. The plant fragment floats until it germinates. This method requires more time; the bud is separated and carefully buried in the soil.

Large shrubs always rejuvenate. Stems without petals are broken off, the tops are cut off if dense vegetation at the bottom is needed. The leaves fall off due to improper care; only the stems remain in the aquarium, which over time lie horizontally and spread along the bottom. Algae are planted around the perimeter of the aquarium in small piles, minerals and fertilizers make the color rich.

Large snails are not kept with such vegetation; more often small fish are kept that spawn on the leaves. A strong root system allows it to get along with catfish and other living creatures that constantly dig through the mud.

Hygrophila purifies the liquid, sometimes white flowers appear.

Useful lifehacks

To ensure that willow hygrophila brings pleasure, we offer several important tips for study:

1. Hygrophila should be introduced into the aquarium in order to clean it. For example, from nitrates, toxins or waste products of other residents.
2. If, after time, the plant still cannot take root and begins to float, then in this case you need to use one simple method. The hygrophila is tied to a stainless nut and, with its help, attached to the bottom.
3. Hygrophila loosestrife goes well with other types of aquarium plants. It is important that all these residents have similar requirements for living conditions, for example, water parameters, temperature and cleanliness.
4. If you notice holes appearing on older Hygrophila leaves, this means the plants are deficient in potassium.
5. But if white dots appear on the leaves, this is due to iron deficiency.
6. Yellowing of hygrophila is associated with a lack of nitrates.
7. If hygrophila does not take root well, you can buy special preparations that contain phytohormones. They are aimed at stimulating and growing the root system and its development. After a course of this drug, hygrophila quickly takes root and begins to grow.

Aquarists often use hygrophila to create beautiful decorations inside the aquarium. It goes perfectly with driftwood, clay or plastic products, and looks good among shells, large stones and sandy soil.

Fish also like the opportunity to hide in leaves, lay eggs there, hide or even sleep.

Hygrophila grows quickly in good conditions

Hygrophila grows quickly in good conditions, so it needs to be thinned once a month. If this is not done, the plant will very quickly fill all the available space, robbing the fish of space to move around.

In one aquarium it is permissible to combine several species of hygrophila, and then the picture will look more juicy and bright. And experienced aquarists create real ideas with landscape design, turning the aquarium into an underwater fairy tale.

When purchasing hygrophila, do not forget about the need for quarantine. Otherwise, there is a high risk of infecting all the inhabitants of the aquarium with any infection brought from the nursery. If the plant is absolutely healthy, then soon you will have a real green wall, replacing photo wallpaper.

Where does it live?

Hygrophila pinnatifida was first identified in India, which is why this country is its homeland. Most often, the plant can be found in shallow streams that flow at the foot of the mountain range. It is on the western side of Hindustan (a small peninsula in southern Asia).

The plant is native to India