Overview:
Common Names: Dwarf hygrophila, East Indian hygrophila , Hygro, Indian Swamp Weed, Indian Waterweed, Miramar Weed
Scientific Name: Hygrophila polysperma
Synonym: Hemiadelphis polysperma (Roxb.) Nees, Justicia polysperma Robx
Family: Acanthaceae
Origin: South-east Asia
Height: inches (25-40 cm)
Width: inches (10-20 cm)
Growth Rate: Fast
Placement: Mid-ground and Background
Lighting Needs: Low
Temperature: °F (18-30 °C)
pH: 5 - 8 Hardness: dGH
Difficulty: Easy
Scientific Name: Hygrophila polysperma
Synonym: Hemiadelphis polysperma (Roxb.) Nees, Justicia polysperma Robx
Family: Acanthaceae
Origin: South-east Asia
Height: inches (25-40 cm)
Width: inches (10-20 cm)
Growth Rate: Fast
Placement: Mid-ground and Background
Lighting Needs: Low
Temperature: °F (18-30 °C)
pH: 5 - 8 Hardness: dGH
Difficulty: Easy
Origin and Distribution:
Originally native to India and Malaysia, Hygrophila polysperma, was introduced to the aquarium trade in the mid 1940s, where it has flourished and become one of the most popular aquarium plants. Initially marketed with the name Oriental Ludwigia, it is now most commonly known by the name of Dwarf Hygro. Other names for this plant include Dwarf hygrophila, East Indian hygrophila , Indian Swamp Weed, Indian Waterweed, and Miramar Weed.
In addition to its native East Indies habitat, Hygrophila polysperma has been naturalized in Florida, Texas, and Virginia, where it causes a variety if issues. In Florida is has become a serious problem, clogging the waterways and interfering with flood control, irrigation, and even navigation. Some states have listed formally identified it as a noxious weed, and banned its import and sales.
In addition to its native East Indies habitat, Hygrophila polysperma has been naturalized in Florida, Texas, and Virginia, where it causes a variety if issues. In Florida is has become a serious problem, clogging the waterways and interfering with flood control, irrigation, and even navigation. Some states have listed formally identified it as a noxious weed, and banned its import and sales.
Description:
Dwarf Hygro is one of the most readily available, and popular, aquarium plants in the trade today. Of the 125 plants in the genus Hygrophila, Dwarf Hygro is the species that is best suited to fully submersed habitats. Their bright green foliage make them a great contrast plant to darker colored plants. They are prized by aquascapers, due to their easy of care. Beginners love them because they grow in virtually all conditions.
Leaves of the Dwarf Hygro are lanceolate with blunt tips, and grow to 1.5 inches long and 1/2 inches wide. Light green in color with darker green veins, the leaves are positioned opposite each other on a slender brittle stem. In nature, stems may grow six to ten feet in length. The size, shape, and color of the leaves will vary based on the habitat, particularly the amount of light they receive. When growing above the waterline, leaves will typically be darker in color than submerged leaves.
Leaves of the Dwarf Hygro are lanceolate with blunt tips, and grow to 1.5 inches long and 1/2 inches wide. Light green in color with darker green veins, the leaves are positioned opposite each other on a slender brittle stem. In nature, stems may grow six to ten feet in length. The size, shape, and color of the leaves will vary based on the habitat, particularly the amount of light they receive. When growing above the waterline, leaves will typically be darker in color than submerged leaves.
Placement/Uses:
Dwarf Hygro makes an excellent mid-ground or background plant. Because they are so easily obtainable, inexpensive, and easy to care for, they are often used as ‘filler’ plants in a planted tank. Grouping stems of Dwarf Hygro in the middle or background will add color and interest in open spots of the tank.
When aquascaping with Dwarf Hygro it is important to remember that they grow rapidly, and can crowd out other plants. Take care to trim them regularly. Trimmings can be used to fill in other open areas of the tank, or create new groups of plants for other tanks.
Because Dwarf Hygro is so easy to care for as well as undemanding, it is often recommended for beginner aquarists, as well as for newly set up tanks.
When aquascaping with Dwarf Hygro it is important to remember that they grow rapidly, and can crowd out other plants. Take care to trim them regularly. Trimmings can be used to fill in other open areas of the tank, or create new groups of plants for other tanks.
Because Dwarf Hygro is so easy to care for as well as undemanding, it is often recommended for beginner aquarists, as well as for newly set up tanks.
Care:
Dwarf Hygro, is one of the easiest aquarium plants to grow. It will grow even in low light and hard water. However, it grows slower in those conditions. If you want rapid, lush growth, provide good lighting. Extremely high light conditions, particularly direct sunlight, will cause the leaves to become paler in color.
Water temperature is another area in which Dwarf Hygro is undemanding. It will grow in cooler waters, but growth will be much slower. Optimal water temperatures are 70-82 F (22-28 C).
is another area in which Dwarf Hygro is undemanding. It will grow in cooler waters, but growth will be much slower. Optimal water temperatures are 70-82 F (22-28 C).
Supplementary CO2 is not required for this plant, nor is it generally necessary to provide additional nutrient feedings, as Dwarf Hygro readily takes up any nutrients available in the water.
Water temperature is another area in which Dwarf Hygro is undemanding. It will grow in cooler waters, but growth will be much slower. Optimal water temperatures are 70-82 F (22-28 C).
is another area in which Dwarf Hygro is undemanding. It will grow in cooler waters, but growth will be much slower. Optimal water temperatures are 70-82 F (22-28 C).
Supplementary CO2 is not required for this plant, nor is it generally necessary to provide additional nutrient feedings, as Dwarf Hygro readily takes up any nutrients available in the water.
Growth/Propagation:
Dwarf Hygro is an extremely rapid grower under optimal conditions. Even under less than perfect conditions, it will grow well. For this reason, it is important to trim it every two to three weeks, to avoid overgrowth and maintain healthy plants. Older plants that begin to get spindly or pale, can be usually be rejuvenated by a heavy pruning and providing them with additional light.
The stems of the Dwarf Hygro tend to be rather brittle, and will break off with little provocation. However these broken pieces can be planted and will grow into new plants. No broken piece is too small to plant, as long as it is given plenty of light.
Dwarf Hygro is extremely easy to propagate, in fact a single leaf separated from the plant has been known to root itself. Propagation is as simple as removing a side shoot, or trimming off the top of a tall stem, and planting it. When starting a new plant, remove the lowermost leaves before planting the new cut stem.
The stems of the Dwarf Hygro tend to be rather brittle, and will break off with little provocation. However these broken pieces can be planted and will grow into new plants. No broken piece is too small to plant, as long as it is given plenty of light.
Dwarf Hygro is extremely easy to propagate, in fact a single leaf separated from the plant has been known to root itself. Propagation is as simple as removing a side shoot, or trimming off the top of a tall stem, and planting it. When starting a new plant, remove the lowermost leaves before planting the new cut stem.
