TankBud

Hygrophila Araguaia

Hygrophila lancea 'Araguaia'

Also known as Hygrophila 'Araguaia', Hygrophila lancea Araguaia, Hygrophila sp. 'Araguaia'

FreshwaterStemCuttingsSide shoots

Hygrophila Araguaia (Hygrophila lancea 'Araguaia')
Aquarium Plants Factory · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Light
High light
CO2
CO₂ beneficial
Temperature
72–82°F
22–28°C
Max height
7.9 in
20 cm
Growth rate
Medium
Placement
Midground
Type
Stem
pH
4.5–7.0
Hardness
3–12 dGH
Spread
5.9 in (15 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Root + water column
Growth region
Submersed or emersed
Difficulty
Medium
Family
Acanthaceae
Origin
South and East Asia (despite the South American Araguaia trade name)

Overview

Hygrophila Araguaia is a compact stem plant for the midground, with tight whorls of narrow leaves. It is a plant of medium difficulty.

Did you know

Hygrophila Araguaia was sold for years as a South American plant. Then a Smithsonian botanist, Dieter Wasshausen, matched it to Hygrophila lancea, a species from Asia.

Caring for Hygrophila Araguaia

Strip the lower leaves and plant the stems in small groups in the midground, a little apart. Keep the water at 72 to 82°F (22 to 28°C).

Give Hygrophila Araguaia strong, high light. It grows without injected CO2, but CO2 clearly helps it develop its reddish-brown to purple tones and keep the growth dense. In low light it goes plain green and leggy. It feeds through both roots and leaves, so root tabs and a liquid fertilizer both help.

Unusually for a Hygrophila, it stays short and bushy and grows at a moderate pace rather than racing like most hygros. Because it stays low, it is easy to keep tidy and suits nano scapes. Trim it to encourage branching, and replant the tops and side shoots to propagate it.

Good to know

Hygrophila Araguaia is a member of the acanthus family, Acanthaceae. Its 'Araguaia' name is a trade name rather than a true origin, though it is now firmly established in the hobby. It is closely related to, and sometimes confused with, the taller Hygrophila lancea 'Sarawak'.

In the wild

Hygrophila Araguaia is named after a Brazilian river, the Araguaia, but the plant actually comes from Asia. Its species, Hygrophila lancea, is native to South and East Asia.

Common questions

Does Hygrophila Araguaia need to be planted in the substrate?

Yes. Strip the leaves from the lower part of each stem, then push the stems into the substrate one at a time, a little apart.

Does Hygrophila Araguaia need CO2?

No, but it helps. Hygrophila Araguaia can grow without injected CO2, and added CO2 makes it grow faster.

How much light does Hygrophila Araguaia need?

Hygrophila Araguaia needs high light from a strong planted-tank LED. In weaker light its stems stretch and drop their lower leaves.

Does Hygrophila Araguaia need root tabs?

They help. Hygrophila Araguaia takes nutrients through both its roots and its leaves. Root tabs near its roots and a liquid fertilizer cover both.

How do you propagate Hygrophila Araguaia?

Hygrophila Araguaia propagates by cuttings and side shoots. Cut off the top of a stem and replant it, and the stump left behind grows new shoots. Cut a side shoot off once it has a few leaves and plant it on its own.

How tall does Hygrophila Araguaia grow?

Hygrophila Araguaia grows to about 7.9 in (20 cm) tall. It grows at a moderate pace.

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