Giant hygrophila
Hygrophila corymbosa
Also known asTemple plant · Temple hygro · Nomaphila stricta (old name)
Water parameters
Light and nutrients
Substrate type: any. Propagation: stem cuttings.
Substrate compatibility
| Substrate | pH effect | Nutrient load |
|---|---|---|
| Inert sand (Pool filter sand) | neutral / inert | none |
| Inert gravel (Aquarium gravel) | neutral / inert | none |
| Aquasoil (ADA Amazonia) | lowers pH | very high |
| Mineralized clay substrate (Seachem Fluorite) | neutral / inert | moderate |
| Dirted tank (mineralized topsoil) (DIY soil substrate) | slightly acidic | very high |
With fish
Origin and habitat
Native to Southeast Asia, found in marshes, ditches, rice paddies, and slow-moving waterways. The species (Hygrophila corymbosa, sometimes sold as Nomaphila stricta or Nomaphila corymbosa) is a large, robust stem plant with broad, lance-shaped leaves (5–12 cm long) arranged in opposite pairs. Emersed (above-water) stems are thick, woody, and can reach 50 cm tall; submerged stems produce thinner, lighter green leaves. This is one of the largest commonly available aquarium stem plants and is sometimes called 'temple plant' or 'giant hygro' because of its imposing size. Several named forms exist in the trade, including 'Stricta', 'Siamensis', 'Compact', and 'Thailand'. The plant has been a staple of the aquarium hobby since the 1960s.
Care notes
Easy stem plant for large tanks (100 L) where its size is proportionate. In smaller tanks, it grows to the surface and creates heavy shade within weeks. Moderate to high light, no CO2 required though it responds well to injection. Growth is fast under good conditions: 10–20 cm per week, requiring weekly trimming to maintain shape. The thick stems and large leaves give it a bold, structural presence that few other stem plants match. Plant stems in groups of 3-5, pushed into the substrate with 2-3 nodes buried. The buried nodes root quickly. Trim tops and replant to propagate; the cut lower stems produce side shoots. Nutrient demands are moderate; liquid fertilizer and occasional root tabs support healthy, dark green leaves. Without enough nutrients (especially iron and potassium), older leaves develop pinholes and yellow margins. Temperature: 22–28°C. pH 6.0-7.5. Tolerates a range of hardness. The plant grows emersed easily and flowers with purple-blue blooms above the water line, making it suitable for open-top tanks and paludariums. A classic beginner stem plant that provides mass and structure. In outdoor ponds in warm climates (USDA zones 9+), giant hygro grows as a marginal or emergent plant with thick, woody stems and attractive purple flowers. Can become weedy in tropical waterways if it escapes cultivation.