Hygrophila pinnatifida

Hygrophila Pinnatifida sheet

• Difficulty: Media
• Family: Acanthaceae
• Gender: Hygrophila
• Origin: India
• Lighting: Media
• Temperature: 18nd - 28th
• Increase: Medium
• PH: 5.0 – 8.0
• Hardness: 0 – 30
• Co2: Optional

Characteristics of Hygrophila Pinnatifida

When the top shoots are regularly pruned, the plant maintains its compact, creeping growth habit. If the tips of the shoots are not cut, the stems grow tall and upright with long leaves. When planted in small groups against a soft background, the growth habit and color of the plant are a good eye catcher.

It's a plant rare endemic hygro of India. There it grows in streams in the western coastal area at the foot of the Western Ghats (Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu), and in books, finds of this plant are also documented in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.

Hygrophila Pinnatifida has been known to science for over 150 years, however, it has only been cultivated as an aquarium plant since early 2008.

This plant differs from the Hygrophila species so far kept in aquariums in many respects. Its leaves are highly decorative. In addition, the submerged leaves have a special color reminiscent of some Cryptocoryne species: Their top is brown to olive green with a yellowish pattern clear where the lateral veins of the leaves bifurcate in the midrib, its lower part is a garnet red.
When grown submerged, the Hygrophila Pinnatifida plant develops vertical and creeping stolon-like shoots, which can adhere to rocks or wood with their roots. At the end of these multiple branching shoots, vertical shoots develop. They can stay short for a long period of time, looking like a rosette. The stems are brown and quite resistant.

H. Pinnatifida works well in moderate light, however brighter lighting helps it grow more compact. A compact growth habit can also be fostered by regularly pruning the tips of the shoots. A good supply of nutrients and CO2 is recommended. This Hygrophila is apparently quite susceptible to a potassium deficiency, the symptoms of which are small needle-shaped holes in the older leaves.
The substrate seems to be very unimportant. The plant forms a rather small root system, not very deep. When you pull the plant out of the ground, you will see that the roots stick to the grains of sand or gravel superficially.

For propagation, stolon-shaped side shoots are most useful. It has been observed that cuttings from upper shoots do not develop as well. Those plants that have already sprouted roots or submerged culture plants tend to establish themselves faster in the aquarium than unrooted cuttings.

The growth rate differs quite a bit depending on the conditions in which the plant is kept and its stage of development. Under moderate light and a limited supply of nutrients and CO2, it grows and reproduces rather slowly, however, under intense light and an ample supply of macronutrients and CO2, the upright shoots of strong plants can soon reach the surface of the water.

In open aquariums they will probably grow above the water line and develop flowers after a short time.
On humid substrate, with good lighting and with a wide supply of nutrients, it can be grown emerged (out of the water). Its emerged shoots grow upright and develop glandular hairs. The emerged leaves are of a medium green tone and become wider and shorter than the underwater form. When grown outdoors, the plants begin to flower mainly in spring.

This unique Hygrophila is probably most striking when planted in small groups in the middle of the aquarium, against a soft background, where its special leaf shape and pattern will stand out best. Especially when the plant grows reddish and robust, its growth habit is reminiscent of a fern. Low-growing seedlings that develop at the end of stolons can be planted in the foreground in groups. Since H. Pinnatifida has a fairly dark color spectrum, neighboring plants with deep, bright red hues can easily outshine it.

Hygrophila pinnatifida It offers many possibilities in Aquascaping, especially with regard to its ability to adhere to rocks or wood with its roots.