Hygrophila guianensis (Hygrophila guianensis) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Hygrophila costata, Glush weed, Gulf swampweed, Yerba de hicotea, Hygrophila lacustris, Hygrophila brasiliensis
Family
Acanthaceae (acanthus family)
Origin
Florida, the Caribbean, southern Mexico, Central and South America
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
60 cm
Temperature
20–28°C
pH
6–7.5
Hardness
2–15 dGH
Care level
intermediate
Lighting
Medium light; CO2 not needed

Care

Hygrophila guianensis is the name this plant was listed under. Wikipedia treats it as a synonym of Hygrophila costata (glush weed), and Tropica sells the plant as H. costata; the page key keeps the listed name. H. costata grows in Florida, the Caribbean, southern Mexico and Central and South America. Stems reach 25–60 cm with leaves around 10 cm long. Under water the leaves are narrower and sit close together; nursery plants are usually grown above water and have rounder, more widely spaced leaves. Tropica notes it was previously sold as Hygrophila corymbosa 'Angustifolia'. Use it in groups in the background. Tropica rates it as medium difficulty, with medium light and low CO2 needs. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. Never release this plant or dispose of it in drains or waterways; it is invasive in some countries. Wikipedia describes it as invasive in several regions, including Australia. Sources: Tropica (tropica.com/en/plants); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hygrophilaguianensis); 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.

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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