Encyclopaedia
Pinnate Hygrophila
Hygrophila pinnatifida
A highly decorative Indian stem plant with unique pinnate, lobed leaves that can be attached to driftwood or rocks like an epiphyte.
- Family
- Acanthaceae
- Origin
- India occidentale.
- Origin
- South and Southeast Asia
- Tank use
- Used in 0 tanks
Share
20 °C - 28 °C
6 - 7.5
Freshwater
Medium
Medium
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Western India, growing as a riparian rheophyte on rocks along seasonal mountain streams.
Taxonomy & Genetics: Belonging to the family Acanthaceae, genus Hygrophila. Unique for its deeply pinnate, lobed leaves.
Physical Structure: Stem plant capable of producing creeping runners (stolons) that anchor firmly to hardscape via strong adventitious roots.
Color & Texture: Pinnatifid (lobed) leaves with a textured, rough surface. Colors range from olive-green to warm rust-red with violet undersides.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Lighting & CO2: Requires moderate to high lighting. CO2 injection is highly recommended to encourage compact growth and vibrant reddish hues.
Nutrition & Substrate: Can be planted in substrate or attached to wood/rocks. Demands high potassium levels; deficiency leads to pinholes in leaves.
Water Chemistry: Prefers pH 6.0-7.5, soft to medium-hard water. Keep water temperature at 20-28 °C. Appreciates moderate water current.
Space Management & Placement: Perfect for the midground, attached to dark rocks or driftwood. Offers an attractive wild look in aquascaping.
Pruning: Regular trimming of vertical shoots forces the plant to spread horizontally via stolons, forming a low carpet-like structure.
Risks & Diseases: Highly susceptible to potassium deficiency. Look out for tiny pinholes in older leaves and adjust fertilizer dosing accordingly.
Plant profile
- Placement
- Midground
- Botanical form
- Stem
- Light
- Medium
- CO2
- Medium
- Growth
- Media
- Expected height
- 30 cm
- Expected width
- 20 cm
- Substrate
- Bassa
- Column fertilization
- Necessaria
- Root fertilization
- Consigliata
- Trimming
- Tagliare i germogli verticali per costringere la pianta a produrre stoloni striscianti orizzontali.
- Propagation
- Stoloni laterali o talee
- Nutrients
- Richiede un buon apporto di potassio; la carenza si manifesta con piccoli fori sulle foglie.
- Sensitivity
- Sensibile alla mancanza di potassio e a brusche potature radicali se interrata.
- Layout role
- Pianta di contrasto agganciata a rocce o legni verticali.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
Related species
Other recommended species with similar care requirements and water parameters.
