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Water Wisteria (Hygrophila difformis)

Water Wisteria is a fast, lacy-leaved stem plant that thrives on neglect and drinks up excess nutrients, making it one of the best plants for a new tank fighting algae. Its dense, feathery growth doubles as cover for bettas, fry, and shrimp.

Care specifications

TypeStem
DifficultyEasy
LightLow (20–45 µmol PAR)
CO2Not needed
Fertilizer demandMedium
Growth rateFast
Max height20 in
Spread6 in
PlacementBackground, Midground
Attaches to hardscapeNo
Snail & shrimp safeYes
Temperature70–82 °F
pH6–7.5
ColorGreen
TrimmingFrequent
StylesJungle, Nature

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Water Wisteria

Water Wisteria (Hygrophila difformis)

$5.99 In stock

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Propagation

Replant trimmed tops or even single leaves — fragments root with almost weedy enthusiasm. For a carpet or low bush, lay whole stems flat on the substrate and pin them down; vertical shoots rise from every node along the horizontal stem.

Frequently asked questions

Why do my Water Wisteria leaves look different from when I bought them?

The species changes leaf shape with conditions — narrow and finely divided in warm, bright tanks; broader and flatter when grown cooler, dimmer, or emersed. A change in leaf form is adaptation, not disease.

Can I float Water Wisteria instead of planting it?

Yes. It grows happily as a floating thicket, where it gets more light and CO2 and grows even faster — a favorite trick for fry tanks and for outcompeting algae during a tank's first months.

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