Slender-leaved stem plant bunch for midground and background placement. Ceramic ring included for easy planting and rooting.
Price range: $6.99 through $13.50
Hygrophila lancea is a refined stem plant that brings texture and depth to planted aquariums. Its long, narrow leaves grow in graceful clusters, shifting in tone from deep green to reddish-brown under strong light and nutrients. Native to Asia, it has become a favorite for aquascapers who want natural elegance and subtle color variation without overwhelming a layout.
This plant thrives in a nutrient-rich substrate and benefits from CO₂ supplementation, though it can grow without it. Stronger lighting enhances its leaf color and keeps internodes tighter, while regular trimming encourages branching for denser growth. Whether used in the midground or background, it adds flow and balance to aquascapes built around stone, wood, and carpeting plants.
Quick Care Guide:
Type: Stem plant for midground or background placement
Light Needs: Medium to high; brighter light enhances coloration
CO₂: Recommended for best results
Substrate: Nutrient-rich substrate preferred for strong anchoring
Water Range: GH 2–10, KH 1–6, pH 5.5–7.2
Growth Habit: Upright, slender leaves with moderate growth speed
Good candidate for terrarium and paludarium use
Quick tip: Trim stems just above a node to encourage branching and bushier form
Hygrophila lancea adds grace and natural flow to aquascapes, pairing beautifully with rock, driftwood, and carpeting plants. Its refined form makes it ideal for layouts that aim for balance and texture.
Q: Does Hygrophila lancea need CO₂?
A: It can grow without it, though CO₂ brings out richer coloration and keeps growth more compact.
Q: How tall does it get?
A: Typically 8–12″ in aquariums. Regular trimming keeps it shorter and promotes bushier growth.
Q: How do I propagate it?
A: Trim healthy stems above a node and replant the cuttings — they’ll root easily and branch out.
Q: Can it be grown emersed?
A: Yes — in terrariums or paludariums it adapts easily and produces slightly broader leaves.
Hygrophila lancea is native to Asia, particularly Japan and surrounding regions, where it grows along slow-moving streams, river margins, and swampy wetlands. These habitats fluctuate with seasonal rains, forcing the plant to alternate between submerged and emersed growth. In the wild, it often coexists with small schooling fish such as rasboras and minnows, along with freshwater shrimp and snails that shelter among its stems.
It was originally described in the 20th century and entered the aquarium hobby under the trade name Hygrophila sp. “Araguaia.” Once its taxonomy was clarified, it became more widely available under its proper name. Its appeal stems from its narrow lance-shaped leaves, which distinguish it from coarser, fast-growing Hygrophila species.
In nature, this plant helps stabilize banks and shallow soils, forming clusters that shelter juvenile fish and invertebrates. Submerged growth produces delicate, finer leaves, while emersed growth develops stronger, broader leaves capable of handling occasional dry spells. This adaptability makes it resilient in the wild and in aquaria.
It gained traction in the aquarium hobby in the early 2000s as aquascapers searched for stem plants that could provide texture without overwhelming layouts. Its steady growth rate and refined form quickly made it a staple in Nature Aquarium and balanced aquascapes. Today it remains valued not only for its beauty but also for its versatility in aquascaping styles.
Beyond aquariums, some Hygrophila species are used in traditional medicine and ecological restoration, though H. lancea is primarily prized for ornamental and ecological purposes. Its story illustrates how a plant native to Asian streams found a place in aquascapes worldwide, linking modern tanks back to the ecosystems that shaped it.
