Hygrophila serpyllum (Hygrophila serpyllum) care guide

Group
Plants
Family
Acanthaceae (acanthus family)
Origin
Asia
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
5 cm
Temperature
20–28°C
pH
6–7.5
Hardness
2–15 dGH
Care level
intermediate
Lighting
Medium light; moderate CO2 (about 6–14 mg/L) helps

Care

A low, compact Asian hygrophila with small, bright green, finely patterned leaves. Tropica gives a height of only 3–5 cm, and it forms a dense, carpet-like cover in the foreground or midground. Tropica marks it as medium difficulty but calls it easy to care for in its description: it grows well under moderate light, tolerates a range of water conditions, and grows at a moderate rate. Occasional trimming keeps it dense. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. Sources: Tropica (tropica.com/en/plants); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Cut off rooted side shoots or short stem pieces and replant them; trimming encourages branching.

Compatibility and tank mates

Shrimp and small fish leave it alone; goldfish, large cichlids and digging fish will damage the carpet.

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

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