Hygrophila Angustifolia

• Scientific Name: Hygrophila angustifolia (often sold as Hygrophila corymbosa 'Angustifolia')

• Common Names: Willow Hygro, Willow-Leafed Hygrophila, Narrow-Leafed Hygro

Characteristics

• Appearance: Long, narrow, ribbon-like leaves that resemble willow leaves growing along strong central stems.

• Color: Bright green foliage; under strong lighting, top leaves can turn reddish-bronze or reddish-brown.

• Size: Tall stem plant, reaching 12–20+ inches (30–50+ cm) in height, making it an ideal background plant.

• Growth Rate: Extremely fast; acts as a natural bio-filter by absorbing nitrates and phosphates.

• Nutrient Indicator: Very sensitive to potassium ($K$) deficiency—leaves will develop tiny pinholes if potassium levels drop too low.

Lighting

• Requirement: Moderate to High

• Details: While it can survive under low light, it will grow leggy with sparse leaf spacing. Moderate to intense lighting promotes dense leaf growth and reddish coloration near the surface.

CO2

• Requirement: Not required.

Propagating

• Method: Stem Cuttings

• How to do it:

  1. Trim the top 4–6 inches of a healthy stem using sharp scissors.

  2. Strip off the bottom 2–3 leaves to expose a bare node.

  3. Gently insert the cut stem into the substrate.

  4. The cutting will quickly grow new roots, while the original stem will sprout two new side shoots from the cut location.