TankBud

Limnophila hippuridoides

Also known as Limnophila aromatica 'Hippuridoides', Purple ambulia, Giant red ambulia

FreshwaterStemCuttingsSide shoots

Limnophila hippuridoides (Limnophila hippuridoides)
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
19.7 in
50 cm
Growth rate
Fast
Placement
Background
Type
Stem
pH
6.0–7.5
Hardness
2–12 dGH
Spread
3.1 in (8 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Root + water column
Growth region
Submersed or emersed
Difficulty
Medium
Family
Plantaginaceae
Origin
Malay Peninsula

Overview

Limnophila hippuridoides is a tall, fast-growing stem plant for the background. It rates medium in difficulty.

Did you know

Limnophila hippuridoides is so often sold as Limnophila aromatica that many aquarists never realize they own the wrong plant. It pushes into deeper purple tones than true aromatica does.

Caring for Limnophila hippuridoides

Plant Limnophila hippuridoides in the background and give each stem room, since this fast grower spreads sideways. Strip the lower leaves before pushing each stem into the substrate.

Strong light, good CO2 and full NPK plus iron turn it dark red to purple. Under weak light it stays green and leggy. It feeds heavily from the substrate as well as the water column, so use root tabs along with a liquid fertilizer.

It usually arrives in its green emersed form and colors up once it converts to submersed growth. Trim and replant the tops often, and cut side shoots free once they have a few leaves. Keep it at 72 to 82°F (22 to 28°C).

Good to know

Limnophila hippuridoides belongs to the family Plantaginaceae. It is a distinct species, closely related to Limnophila aromatica. Underwater it forms tall, upright stems with whorls of 6 to 8 narrow leaves at each node, over an extensive root system. Its leaves tend toward darker reds, with purple undersides.

In the wild

Limnophila hippuridoides is a marshweed from the Malay Peninsula. It grows in wet and marshy ground.

Common questions

Does Limnophila hippuridoides 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 Limnophila hippuridoides need CO2?

No, but it helps. Limnophila hippuridoides can grow without injected CO2, and added CO2 makes it grow faster.

How much light does Limnophila hippuridoides need?

Limnophila hippuridoides needs high light from a strong planted-tank LED. In weaker light its stems stretch and drop their lower leaves.

Does Limnophila hippuridoides need root tabs?

They help. Limnophila hippuridoides takes nutrients through both its roots and its leaves. Root tabs near its roots and a liquid fertilizer cover both.

How do you propagate Limnophila hippuridoides?

Limnophila hippuridoides propagates by cuttings and side shoots. Cut off the top of a stem and replant it, and the stump left behind grows new shoots. Cut a side shoot off once it has a few leaves and plant it on its own.

How tall does Limnophila hippuridoides grow?

Limnophila hippuridoides grows to about 19.7 in (50 cm) tall. It grows fast, so expect to trim it often.

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