hygrophila Difformis "Variegatus"

Variegated water wisteria is a form of Hygrophila difformis, a South Asian marsh plant that grows submerged with deeply cut, lacy leaves quite unlike its emersed form. The variegated line carries pale cream to white marbling through the green, which lightens the whole plant and makes a stand of it read much brighter than plain water wisteria. It is a fast grower and one of the easier stem plants to keep.

Aquarium care

• Plant stems individually in the substrate, or let them float; it grows either way.
• Moderate to strong light. Leaf shape and cutting vary noticeably with light level.
• Grows well without CO2, and faster with it.
• Fast growing, so it needs regular trimming to stop it shading the plants below.
• Propagate by cutting a stem and replanting the top.
• Takes up nutrients quickly, which makes it useful in a newly set up tank.

A good background plant for community tanks and a practical choice while a new tank settles. Fish that eat soft plants, including goldfish and larger cichlids, will make short work of it.

Stock rotates as new plants arrive, and plants are sold for local pickup at our Lethbridge store. See the current live plants.