Hygrophila Araguaia
Hygrophila lancea 'Araguaia'
Also known as Hygrophila 'Araguaia', Hygrophila lancea Araguaia, Hygrophila sp. 'Araguaia'
Care at a glance
- Light
- High light
- CO2
- CO₂ beneficial
- Growth rate
- Medium
- Placement
- Midground
- Type
- Stem
- Temperature
- 72–82°F (22–28°C)
- pH
- 4.5–7.0
- Hardness
- 3–12 dGH
- Max height
- 7.9 in (20 cm)
- Spread
- 5.9 in (15 cm)
- Nutrient uptake
- Root + water column
- Growth region
- Submersed or emersed
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Origin
- South and East Asia (despite the South American Araguaia trade name)
- Family
- Acanthaceae
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.
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
- Glass Aqua Aquascaping plants and planted tank supplies
- Buce Plant Aquatic plants and aquascaping supplies
- Aquarium Plants Factory Aquatic plants shipped from a California greenhouse
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
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