Hygrophila Difformis

Hygrophila Difformis - Water Wisteria with Beautiful Feathered Leaves

Hygrophila Difformis, also known as Water Wisteria, is one of the most popular and decorative aquarium plants from Asia. This beautiful stem plant is known for its unique, finely feathered leaves that instantly give your aquarium a lush, natural look. Perfect for both beginners and experienced aquascapers looking for a fast-growing plant with a unique leaf structure.

What makes Hygrophila Difformis so special is the change in leaf structure: underwater, the plant develops beautifully feathery, finely branched leaves that create an airy, elegant effect. Its rapid growth and extreme adaptability make it an excellent choice for setting up new aquariums, as it absorbs excess nutrients and helps prevent algae growth.

Benefits of Hygrophila Difformis

• Unique feathery leaves: Beautiful, finely branched leaves create an airy, decorative effect
• Very beginner-friendly: Grows under almost any conditions and is extremely resilient
• Fast Growth: Quickly absorbs excess nutrients and helps effectively prevent algae growth.
• Versatile: Suitable for mid- and background planting, or as a solitary plant
• Wide temperature range: Grows well between 22-28°C
• Easy to propagate: Cut off tops and replant for free new plants
• Natural water filter: Absorbs nitrate and phosphate, which improves water quality
• Suitable for all aquariums: From small nano aquariums to large tanks

Care & Placement

Hygrophila Difformis is very easy to care for and has few requirements. The plant thrives in normal to high light and doesn't require CO2 supplementation, although this does accelerate growth and makes the leaves finer and more feathery. Plant the stems in clusters of 3-5 in the middle to back of your aquarium for a lush effect.

With plenty of light and good nutrition, the plant develops beautiful, finely feathered leaves with a fresh green color. Regular pruning of the tops encourages branching and ensures denser, bushier growth. You can easily replant the cut tops to propagate the plant – new roots will form within a few days.

The plant grows rapidly, especially under optimal conditions, so pruning weekly to biweekly may be necessary to maintain the desired height and shape. Remove old, lower leaves to keep the plant healthy and attractive.

Specifications:

• Position: Middle and back zone
• Light requirements: Normal to high
• CO2: Optional (promotes finer leaves)
• Temperature: 22-28°C
• pH: 5.0-8.0
• KH: 2-15
• Growth rate: Fast
• Difficulty level: Very easy
• Maximum height: 30-50 cm
• Origin: Asia (India, Bangladesh, Thailand)
• Family: Acanthaceae
• Type: Stem plant
• Other name: Water Wisteria, Water Wisteria

💡 Tip: Want to learn more about caring for Hygrophila species? Read our comprehensive Hygrophila care guide with practical tips and tricks.