Hygrophila costata

Also known as Guyana hygro, Guiana hygrophila, Hygrophila sp. 'Guianensis', Hygrophila guianensis, Hygrophila guyanensis, Hygrophila lacustris, Hygrophila angustifolia, Hygrophila corymbosa angustifolia

FreshwaterStemCuttingsSide shoots

Hygrophila costata (Hygrophila costata) — Andrés González · CC BY-SA 3.0

Care at a glance

Light: Medium light
CO2: CO₂ beneficial
Temperature: 68–82°F; 20–28°C
Max height: 15.7 in; 40 cm

Growth rate: Fast
Placement: Background
Type: Stem
pH: 6.0–8.0
Hardness: 4–18 dGH
Spread: 4.7 in (12 cm)
Nutrient uptake: Root + water column
Growth region: Submersed or emersed
Difficulty: Easy
Family: Acanthaceae
Origin: Native to streams and wetlands across Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Florida.

Overview

Hygrophila guianensis is an easy plant that grows in medium light and does not require CO2, though CO2 makes it denser and faster. In low light it stretches and drops lower leaves, so give it decent lighting for tidy stems. Plant it in the background and trim and replant tops to keep it full.

In the wild

Hygrophila guianensis carries paired, narrow green leaves on upright stems that branch as they grow. It is found in streams and wetlands across the American tropics, growing both underwater and along wet banks. Under good light it forms tidy, leafy stems for the background.

Good to know

Hygrophila guianensis belongs to the acanthus family, Acanthaceae, a group that includes many popular aquarium stem plants. Like its relatives it can switch easily between submerged and emergent growth. Its wide American range spans both tropical and subtropical regions.

Did you know

Like other Hygrophila, it switches easily between underwater and above-water growth, so an emersed start often melts and regrows into its submerged form.