Hygrophila Corymbosa (Hygrophila corymbosa) Care Guide

A large robust stem plant with broad bright-green leaves that can quickly fill the background of any aquarium.

Overview

Hygrophila corymbosa is an aquatic plant in the family Acanthaceae. A large robust stem plant with broad bright-green leaves that can quickly fill the background of any aquarium. Extremely fast-growing and undemanding, it excels at absorbing excess nutrients and is virtually indestructible under normal conditions.

Taxonomy

Family: Acanthaceae
Genus: Hygrophila
Scientific name: Hygrophila corymbosa
Other names: Giant Hygrophila, Temple Plant

Habitat

Native to Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia). Grows in marshes, paddies and along the banks of slow streams. Several cultivated forms circulate in the hobby ("Compact", "Stricta", "Siamensis"), differing in leaf size and growth habit.

Growth requirements

Light: medium (≈50-80 PAR at substrate)
CO2: optional (CO2 improves growth and coloration)
Temperature: 22-28 °C
pH: 6-7.5
GH: 3-15 °dGH
Substrate: sand or fine gravel
Nutrient demand: low
Growth rate: fast
Difficulty: beginner

Placement

Recommended placement: background
Maximum height: 50 cm
Trim every: 10 days

Propagation

In cultivation the plant is propagated by stem cuttings (replant the upper portion after trimming).