Giant Hygrophila
(Hygrophila corymbosa)
Temperature: 70 - 82 F
pH: 6.5 - 7.5
dGH / dKH: 3 - 12
Lighting:
Growth Rate: Very Quick
Difficulty: Easy
For September 2014 the plant fo the month is Hygrophila corymbosa also called Giant Hygrophila. Originating from Southeast Asia, this plant can now be found growing in a few other habitats around the globe with a fairly high distribution in Florida.
The Giant hygro or temple narrow leaf plant featured in this video is one of two varieties of corymbosa. The other is a more compact variant that will not grow as tall and have slightly smaller leaves, making it more desirable in shorter tanks.
Giant hygrophila is an aggressive, fast growing plant that doesn’t require a lot of work to get reaching for the top of your tank. Temperature between 70 -82 F pH in the range of 6.5 – 7.5 and a dGH and dKH somewhere between 3 - 12 will suit this plant well.
A heavy root feeder, Giant hygro will appreciate a nutrient rich substrate like soil, but doesn’t necessarily require it. Lower leaf decay and eventual loss is often a sign that they need some extra nutrients and or a good trimming to allow light to reach shaded portions of the plant. With that being said, this is an excellent plant for nutrient reduction, as studies have shown efficient ammonium and nitrate removal from the water column. Lighting doesn’t have to be super strong nor does CO2 have to be added to keep this plant going, but of course will only benefit from both.
Giant Hygrophila Care Sheet
I seem to get the really growth out of this plant with a soil substrate and moderate lighting. Sporting large bright green foliage Giant hygro makes for a great background plant in even the tallest of tanks. Capable of reaching heights of about 2 feet, this plant really wants to grow emersed. As Giant hygrophila gets closer to the surface, new leaves will begin to turn a purplish/pink and if allowed to grow out of the water, will develop purple flowers. This would be a great plant for a biotope tank, something ive been wanting to do for a while now.
Several other species of Hygrophila are available and make for a great addition to most all freshwater tanks. Propagating this plant is also really easy and will help to keep things more compact as well as promote overall plant health. All you have to do is make a clean cut about a quarter of an inch above a pair of nodes and re plant the new stem. The old plant will sprout 2 new stems and most likely start to do the same on lower nodes as well. The new plant will begin to root over the next week and eventually become another well-adjusted nutrient sponge.
