Broadleaf giant stricta (Hygrophila corymbosa) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Temple plant, Giant hygro, Starhorn, Nomaphila stricta, Nomaphila corymbosa, Hygrophila corymbosa 'Siamensis 53B', Hygrophila corymbosa 'Compact', Hygrophila corymbosa 'Stricta'
Family
Acanthaceae (acanthus family)
Origin
South-East Asia, including India, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
40 cm
Temperature
20–28°C
pH
6–7.5
Hardness
2–15 dGH
Care level
beginner
Lighting
Low to medium light; CO2 not needed but helps

Care

Giant hygro or temple plant is a fast-growing stem plant of riverbanks in South-East Asia, from India to Indonesia. It naturally grows partly out of the water but survives long periods fully submerged. Grown above water it flowers with scented purple blooms. It has long, broad, bright green leaves and is planted in groups at the back of the tank. Pinch out shoots often, as it grows quickly; new side shoots then make it bushier. Tropica rates it as an easy starter plant, needing only low light and no added CO2, though Wikipedia notes it grows best with good light, a rich substrate and extra CO2. Cultivars: Tropica sells the plain species plus 'Compact', 'Siamensis 53B' and 'Stricta', and Wikipedia's list gives 'Crispa', 'Glabra', 'Gracilis', 'Siamensis' and 'Strigosa'. Wikipedia notes that many of these named forms seem mainly to reflect growing conditions, and leaf colour depends on light and iron. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. Sources: Tropica (tropica.com/en/plants); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hygrophilacorymbosa); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Easily propagated from cuttings: cut off shoot tips 10–15 cm long, strip the lowest leaves and push them into the substrate, where they root quickly. The base left behind branches and becomes bushier. Tropica advises separating bundled stems, stripping the lowest 5 cm of leaves and planting each stem a little apart.

Compatibility and tank mates

Soft-leaved, so goldfish, large cichlids, silver dollars and some plant-eating snails will eat it; most community fish, shrimp and small snails leave it alone. Suits tropical community and shrimp tanks.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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