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Hygrophila polysperma
Also called Dwarf Hygrophila, Miramar Weed, East Indian Swampweed, Hygrophila, Dwarf Hygro, Indian Waterweed
Indian swampweed is a fast-growing aquatic plant from South and Southeast Asia, widely grown in aquariums and ponds. It is easy to keep but can spread aggressively, so regular pruning and containment are the key to growing it.
Hygrophila polysperma, commonly known as dwarf hygrophila, dwarf hygro, Miramar weed, Indian swampweed or Indian waterweed, is an aquatic plant in the family Acanthaceae. It is native to Bangladesh, India, China and Malaysia, and has also been introduced to the US states of Florida, Texas and possibly Virginia.
It is listed on the Federal Noxious Weed List in the US and is illegal to import and sell in a number of states including Kansas
Indian waterweed first appeared in the aquarium trade in 1945 under the name "oriental ludwigia". It is easy to grow and as such a popular plant for the tropical aquarium. It will grow even faster in good light, a nutrient rich water / substrate and it benefits from additional CO2. May need to be pruned regularly. Propagated from cuttings. An isolated leaf will often root itself.
Hygrophila polysperma is readily available in the aquarium trade thanks to its ease of growth and reproduction. It will accept most water parameters. When used in aquascaping it is often placed towards the back of the aquarium, as a large group of stems. Some people prefer not to introduce Hygrophila polysperma into their tanks as it can rapidly grow out of control, taking light and nutrients away from more other plants. The leaves turn a shade of pink or orange as they grow closer to the light source. Many people find that this plant produces too many new shoots and eventually becomes a nuisance.
Starhorn · Yerba de hicotea · Water Wisteria · Hygrophila madurensis · Swampweed
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Hygrophila polysperma by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.
The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.
