TCulture Hygrophila Pinnatifida (Pot/TC Cup)

Description

Hygrophila pinnatifida from India grows unique lobed leaves with olive green, leathery brown to brownish-red upper side with a light yellow pattern in the aquarium. The underside is wine red. The plant grows horizontal lateral shoots whose roots will cling to rocks or driftwood. It has only been cultivated in aquaria since 2008, today it is a very popular plant with manifold uses in aquascaping. When the top shoots are trimmed regularly, the plant maintains its compact growth habit. If the shoot tops aren’t cut off, the stems grow high and upright with long leaves. When planted in smaller groups in front of a calm background, the plant’s growth habit and colour are a nice eye-catcher.

Hygrophila pinnatifida as an epiphyte for SG aquascapes

Pinnatifida has become a local aquascaping favourite because it bridges two roles: tie or glue it to wood and stone like a true epiphyte, or plant it in substrate as a midground stem. Its lobed olive-to-bronze leaves with a wine-red underside bring colour that holds up under the moderate lighting many Singapore tanks run. We supply it potted and as TC cups, the latter arriving clean and free of snails or algae for shrimp-safe scapes.

In our warm 27-29C water it sends out horizontal runners whose roots grip hardscape, so it spreads across driftwood naturally if you let it. Regular trimming of the top shoots keeps the compact, bushy look most scapers want; left alone, it stretches tall with longer leaves. CO2 and a balanced fertiliser pull out the richest reds, though it remains far more cooperative than many coloured stems.

Browse the rest of our epiphytes selection, then read our pinnatifida care guide and learn the best ways of attaching plants to wood and rock before you start gluing.