Siam Hygrophila

Siam Hygrophila is a robust stem plant, one of the many varieties of the very variable Hygrophila corymbosa found across Southeast Asia, and it is among the most forgiving plants a beginner can start with. Its broad, bright green leaves grow in opposite pairs up stems that reach about 40 cm, and it is equally at home as a background mass in a community tank or emersed in an open paludarium.

It has no high demands on light or feeding and tolerates a wide range of water conditions. It grows at 24 to 28 °C and pH 5.5 to 7.5, and it does not need CO₂ injection to grow well. When light is strong and nutrients sufficient it takes on a slight bronze hue; when light outruns iron supply the leaf veins stay green in yellowish tissue, a clear sign to add iron rather than more light.

Propagation is by cuttings, and trimmed tops root readily. It grows fast and needs regular pruning, but those trimmings are simply the next plants, which is why it remains a staple of low-tech tanks.