Hygrophila corymbosa 'Siamensis' (Temple Plant) Care Guide
Hygrophila corymbosa 'Siamensis', the temple plant, is a fast-growing, undemanding background plant from Southeast Asia with large lance-shaped leaves.
Overview
Hygrophila corymbosa 'Siamensis', known as the temple plant, is a background hygrophila with large, bright-green lance-shaped leaves on stout stems. It is a fast-growing, robust and very easy plant for low-tech tanks. Under intense lighting and good nutrients it can take on a slight bronze hue. The species is reported to help absorb ammonium and nitrate.
Taxonomy
- Family: Acanthaceae
- Genus: Hygrophila
- Scientific name: Hygrophila corymbosa 'Siamensis'
- Common synonyms: Nomaphila stricta
Habitat
Hygrophila corymbosa is indigenous to Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and India. It naturally grows as an emergent plant but can survive long periods fully submerged, and it is grown worldwide in tropical aquariums.
Growth requirements
- Light: medium (medium to high reported)
- CO2: not required, around 10-40 mg/l beneficial
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 3-14 °dGH
- Growth rate: fast
- Maximum height: about 60 cm
Placement
The plant is used in the mid- to background and works well in open tanks where it can grow emersed. Its fast growth makes it useful as an early plant during tank establishment.
Propagation
Propagation is by cuttings; a shoot is cut off and replanted into the substrate.