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

A compact midground stem plant that, unusually for a Hygrophila, stays short and bushy with tight whorls of narrow leaves and grows at a moderate pace rather than racing like most hygros. It wants strong light and benefits clearly from CO2 to develop its reddish-brown to purple tones and keep the growth dense; in low light it goes plain green and leggy. Plant stems in small groups and trim to encourage branching. Because it stays low, it is easy to keep tidy and good for nano scapes; propagate by cutting and replanting side shoots and tops.

In the wild

A narrow-leaved Hygrophila that entered the hobby labelled after the Brazilian river Araguaia but was later identified as the Asian species Hygrophila lancea, native to South and East Asia. In aquariums it stays a low, compact bushy stem plant rather than the tall growth of most hygros.

Good to know

A member of the acanthus family Acanthaceae. Originally distributed in the trade as a South American plant, it was identified by botanist Dieter Wasshausen of the Smithsonian as Hygrophila lancea, an Asian species, so the 'Araguaia' name is a trade name, not a true origin. It is closely related to (and sometimes confused with) the taller Hygrophila lancea 'Sarawak'.

Did you know

Did you know this plant is named after a Brazilian river but actually comes from Asia? It was sold for years as a South American Hygrophila before a Smithsonian botanist matched it to Hygrophila lancea, leaving it with a geographically misleading but now firmly established hobby name.

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