Hygrophila difformis

Water wisteria

Hygrophila difformis

Water wisteria

(9 ratings)

Divided, freshly green leaves
Especially decorative in large tanks
Undemanding
Fast growing

In stock, only 3 left

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Background

Aquarium Plant Characteristics

Difficulty Easy

Growth Fast

Light Medium

Maximum water hardness for this aquarium plant in the aquarium

Water hardness max. Hard

Recommended care height 15-40 cm

CO2 No

Discus suitable Yes

Variation

Pot - Ø 5 cm

starting at

€

in Vitro XL - Ø 8,5 cm (out of stock)

1-2-GROW! - Ø 5,5 cm

€

Quantity	Unit price	Saving/Piece	Discount
1+	€ 5. 90
2+	€ 4. 90	€ 1.-	16%
3+	€ 4. 40	€ 1. 50	25%
5+	€ 3. 90	€ 2.-	33%

Please be aware that the submerse form of this plant could contain snails or other invertebrates.

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Description

Hygrophila difformis, the water wisteria, is an amphibious plant from waters in tropical Asia. For many years it is popular as a beautiful and undemanding aquarium plant. Its submerged shoots have lobed, freshly green leaves and become 6-12 cm wide and at least 30 cm tall.

This Hygrophila is easy to grow and also recommendable for beginners. However it is somewhat susceptible to micronutrient deficiency, indicated by pale leaves. Medium lighting is sufficient. It should be noted that the emersed (terrestrial) form of Hygrophila difformis differs much from the underwater form. After planting in the tank it develops the typical divided submerged foliage.

Hygrophila difformis is especially beautiful in the midground or background of large aquariums where it can create a distinctive group. With its fast growth, it is recommendable for newly started tanks where it can compete with algae.

Distribution map of Hygrophila difformis

Hygrophila difformis is a very beautiful plant, and has been in cultivation in the aquarium hobby for many years. It originates from South and South-East Asia, where it grows in boggy areas. In Asia the plant is used in traditional medicine.

There are only few plants easier to cultivate in an aquarium than this one. It grows well under moderate light, however, more intensive lighting benefits its health and overall volume. Lots of light, CO2 injection and a good nutrient supply lead to enormous growth rates.
This makes it a great plant for newly set-up tanks, as it can absorb large amounts of nutrients, thus helping to keep ammonium levels down.
Its pinnate leaves grow more refinedly under lots of light. Parameters like water hardness and the pH do not play an important role for H. difformis, and it also grows very fast in tanks with no CO2 injection.
However, micronutrients including iron should be added to the tank, as this plant reacts strongly to a lack of these elements.

The submersed and emersed forms of H. difformis differ strongly (see fig. 5). The shoots of the emersed form creep on the ground, their leaves are unparted, with a serrated margin, and blue-violet flowers develop in the leaf axils. They are covered in sticky glandular hairs and have a strong scent. When planted in an aquarium, these shoots form submersed leaves withing a few weeks, and the old emersed leaves die off.

Propagation is easy, as for most stem plants. Just cut off the upper part of the plant and re-plant it into the substrate. It will form roots very quickly and resume strong growth, whereas the old part you left in the substrate will throw lots of lateral shoots. Frequent trimming will result in beautifully bushy plants.

H. difformis can grow quite large and is thus not very well-suited for smaller tanks. In large aquariums, however, it can be a real plus. Its leaf form makes it a beautiful contrast to other species with differently formed leaves.

Common names	Water Wisteria, Wisteria
Synonyms	Cardanthera triflora (Roxb.) Buch.-Ham. ex Voigt, Hygrophila triflora (Roxb.) Fosberg & Sachet, Ruellia difformis L. f., Ruellia triflora Roxb., Synnema triflorum Kuntze
Complete botanical name	Hygróphila diffórmis (L. f.) Blume
Family	Acanthaceae
Genus	Hygrophila
Difficulty	very easy
Usage	Background
Growth	fast
pH value	6 - 7.5
Temperature tolerance	18 - 30°C
Carbonate hardness	2 - 21°dKH
General hardness	0 - 30°dGH
Propagation	Cuttings
Can grow emersed?	yes
Source	Flowgrow

How many plants do I need?

General information

Item no.	135.0380.01
EAN	8712001020827
Weight	0,10 kg
Shipping weight	0,10 kg

Questions and answers about Hygrophila difformis

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Customer reviews

This item has been rated 3.8 out of 5 stars
9 Reviews

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5 Stars(3)
4 Stars(4)
3 Stars(0)
2 Stars(1)
1 Star(1)

Jürgen S.

very good

13th August 2025

Hygrophila difformis - Pot

I've had the plant in my tank for a while now, and it grows like crazy ! I have to trim it back almost weekly.

Translated from German

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sehr gut

hab die pflanze ja jetzt schon länger im AQ, und die wächst wie wild !

muss ich fast wöchentlich zurückstutzen.

aber besonders gefällt mir dass sie schön in die höhe wächst, was ja von klon zu klon unterschiedlich sein kann !

empfehlenswert !!

Peter W.

Flawless!

25th April 2025

Hygrophila difformis - Pot

I knew the plant from my youth, finally found it again. It arrived compact and well packed, planted right away and is already starting to grow. I'm VERY happy!

Translated from German

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Einwandfrei!

Kenne die Pflanze schon aus meiner Jugend, endlich habe ich sie wieder gefunden. Kam kompakt und gut verpackt hier an, direkt eingepflanzt und fängt bereits an zu wachsen. Ich bin SEHR zufrieden!