Hygrophila balsamica

Also known as Hygrophila spinosa 'balsamica', Feathery Hygrophila

FreshwaterStemCuttingsSide shoots

Hygrophila balsamica (Hygrophila balsamica) — (c) Aravinth, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by

Care at a glance

Light: High light
CO2: CO₂ required
Growth rate: Fast
Placement: Background
Type: Stem
Temperature: 64–86°F (18–30°C)
pH: 5.0–7.0
Hardness: 2–12 dGH
Max height: 19.7 in (50 cm)
Spread: 5.9 in (15 cm)
Nutrient uptake: Root + water column
Growth region: Submersed or emersed
Difficulty: Medium
Origin: South Asia (India and Sri Lanka)
Family: Acanthaceae

Overview

A demanding background stem that only shows its bright green feathery form under strong light and high CO2 (roughly 25 to 40 mg/l); starved of either, the leaves stay small and coarse. It grows fast and needs frequent trimming, plus a good iron and trace supply. If you buy an emersed-grown pot, let it transition to the water form before adding it to a tank with livestock.

In the wild

A marsh and bog plant from India and Sri Lanka, growing in seasonally wet ground and shallow water. It produces finely divided, feathery light-green foliage that gives a soft airy texture very different from the broad-leaved Hygrophilas.

Good to know

Belongs to Acanthaceae and is sometimes listed under the Hygrophila spinosa complex. Its emersed shoots are known to contain compounds toxic to fish and shrimp, but once the plant fully converts to its submersed form the toxicity disappears and it is safe in a stocked tank.