Hygrophila Polysperma

Hygrophila polysperma from tropical Asia is one of the hardiest aquarium plants available. The shoots becomes 25-40 cm tall and 4-8 cm wide. It is particularly good for beginners because it grows in almost all conditions. It is also recommendable for initial planting of tanks because it quickly removes excess nutrients from the water and competes with algae.

The East Indian Hygrophila normally grows so fast that it is important to prevent it crowding out other plants, so the shoots must be cut regularly. As well as other stem plants, it is easily propagated by cuttings. Even detached leaves floating on the surface form small new plants.

Hygrophila polysperma is a very variable species with different leaf shape and colour, depending to some extent on the light supplied. “Standard” H. polysperma develops under water oval to lanceolate, light green to somewhat brownish leaves.