Hygrophila pinnatifida

Also known as Pinnatifida, Hygro pinnatifida

FreshwaterStemCuttingsRunnersSide shoots

Hygrophila pinnatifida (Hygrophila pinnatifida) — Aquarium Plants Factory · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Light: Medium light
CO2: CO₂ beneficial
Temperature: 64–82°F; 18–28°C
Max height: 15.7 in; 40 cm

Growth rate: Medium
Placement: Midground
Type: Stem
pH: 5.5–8.0
Hardness: 2–15 dGH
Spread: 11.8 in (30 cm)
Nutrient uptake: Root + water column
Growth region: Submersed or emersed
Difficulty: Medium
Family: Acanthaceae
Origin: Western Ghats, India

Overview

Hygrophila pinnatifida is a versatile midground plant that grows on hardscape or in the substrate. It is a plant of medium difficulty.

Did you know

Hygrophila pinnatifida is one of the only true stem plants that behaves like an epiphyte. Its creeping runners grip and spread across rock and driftwood instead of needing to root in substrate.

Caring for Hygrophila pinnatifida

Glue or tie Hygrophila pinnatifida to wood and rock, the more popular choice, or plant it in the substrate as an ordinary stem. Keep the water at 64 to 82°F (18 to 28°C).

Moderate light keeps it compact and brings out the brown-red color, and higher light intensifies the pigment. It grows without injected CO2, but CO2 at 20 to 30 ppm and good fertilizer are strongly recommended for dense, colorful growth. It is prone to potassium deficiency, which shows as small pinholes in older leaves, so keep up water-column dosing. Root tabs help wherever it roots in the substrate.

It grows at a moderate pace. Trim it and clip the runners often, or it spreads and shades nearby plants. New plants grow along the runners and can be cut free once they have roots, and cut tops replant as cuttings.

Good to know

Hygrophila pinnatifida is a member of the Acanthaceae. It is unusual in the genus for its deeply lobed, pinnatifid leaves, which look fern-like beside the simple leaves of most Hygrophila. The submersed form develops bronze to red-brown color on the leaf tops with burgundy undersides. The emersed form is greener and more upright.

In the wild

Hygrophila pinnatifida is native to India, mainly the Western Ghats on the western, southern and northern parts of the subcontinent. It grows on rocks and along stream banks, submersed in the wet season and emersed when water levels drop. It tolerates both fast-flowing and standing water.

Common questions

Does Hygrophila pinnatifida 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 pinnatifida need CO2?

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

How much light does Hygrophila pinnatifida need?

Hygrophila pinnatifida wants medium light. A light sold for planted tanks covers it.

Does Hygrophila pinnatifida need root tabs?

They help. Hygrophila pinnatifida 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 pinnatifida?

Hygrophila pinnatifida propagates by cuttings, runners and side shoots. Cut off the top of a stem and replant it, and the stump left behind grows new shoots. New plants grow along its runners. Cut one free once it has roots and plant it.