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.