Description
Hygrophila pinnatifida from India grows unique lobed leaves with olive green, leathery brown to brownish-red upper side with a light yellow pattern in the aquarium. The underside is wine red. The plant grows horizontal lateral shoots whose roots will cling to rocks or driftwood. It has only been cultivated in aquaria since 2008, today it is a very popular plant with manifold uses in aquascaping. When the top shoots are trimmed regularly, the plant maintains its compact growth habit. If the shoot tops aren't cut off, the stems grow high and upright with long leaves. When planted in smaller groups in front of a calm background, the plant's growth habit and colour are a nice eye-catcher.
Hygrophila pinnatifida is an uncommon hygro endemic to India. There it grows on rivulets in the western coastal area on the foot of the Western Ghats (Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu), and in literature, findings of this plant are also documented for the north-Indian state Uttar Pradesh. Those plants that already sprouted roots or plants from emersed cultivation tend to establish faster in the aquarium than rootless cuttings. The growth rate differs quite a bit depending on the conditions the plant is kept in and its developmental stage. Under moderate light and a limited supply of nutrients and CO2 it grows and reproduces rather slowly, however, under intensive light and an ample macronutrient and CO2 supply, the upright shoots of strong plants may soon reach the water surface. In open tanks, they will probably grow above the waterline and develop flowers after a relatively short time. On moist substrate, under good lighting and with an ample supply of nutrients, H. pinnatifida can be cultivated emersed.
Source
Flowgrow
Characteristic
Ornamental leaf shape
Highly decorative leaf patterns
Can be used in many different ways
Attaches itself to hardscape
Synonyms
Nomaphila pinnatifida Dalzell, Cardanthera pinnatifida (Dalzell) Benth. ex C.B.Clarke .
Complete Botanical Name
Hygróphila pinnatífida (Dalzell) Sreem.
Family
Acanthaceae
Genus
Hygrophila
Category
Middle Ground
Difficulty
medium
Growth
medium
Carbon Dioxide
need
pH Value
5-8
Temperature Tolerance
18-28℃
Carbonate Hardness
2-12 dKH
General Hardness
0-30 °dGH
Propagation
Runners, Proliferating leaves, Cuttings, Splitting, Cutting off daughter plants
Can Grow Emersed?
yes
Height
5-40 cm
Width
10-30 cm
