Acanthaceae

Narrow-leaf Hygrophila

Hygrophila angustifolia

A narrow-leaved hygrophila from Australia and New Guinea. It belongs to a group of closely related plants whose names have been shuffled between one another for years.

Tank conditions

Leaf colour
green, pink or purple

Care and keeping

Appearance

Long narrow leaves in pairs along an upright stem. Under water the plant is plain green; grown above the surface it flowers in pale lilac at the leaf joints, which is how the plants of this group are told apart.

Keeping

It is kept like the other hygrophilas: medium light, ordinary feeding, no carbon dioxide required. Trimming the stems is what makes a group dense, and the cut tops root readily.

Placement

The middle or back of the tank, in a group.

Propagation

By cuttings: cut the top and plant it.

Cultivars

The same plant with a different look: light, water and care are shared with the species.

Other varieties: Hygrophila Angustifolia Rubra

Scientific and other names, conservation status

Other scientific names
Hygrophila salicifolia angustifolia
Hygrophila angustifolia
R. Br.
Range regions
Lesser Sunda Is., New Guinea, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia