Water wisteria (Hygrophila difformis) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Water wisteria, Synnema triflorum, Ruellia difformis, Hygrophila difformis 'Triflora'
Family
Acanthaceae (acanthus family)
Origin
Indian subcontinent: India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
50 cm
Temperature
22–28°C
pH
6–7.5
Hardness
2–15 dGH
Care level
beginner
Lighting
Low to medium light; CO2 not needed but helps

Care

Water wisteria is a marsh plant from India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan, not related to true wisterias. It grows about 20–50 cm tall and 15–25 cm wide. Its leaves change shape with conditions: deeply cut and lacy under water, rounder and toothed above it. It is a popular, easy plant for the midground or background, where the lacy leaves make a striking group in larger tanks. Wikipedia's list also mentions a pink-leaved form, 'Triflora'. Tropica rates it as a beginner's plant with fast growth in low light and without added CO2; Wikipedia notes it does best with strong light, a rich substrate and extra CO2. Its fast growth soaks up nutrients and helps hold back algae in new tanks. Pale leaves suggest a shortage of micronutrients. Tropica warns that bundled plants are not nursery-grown and may carry pesticides, so keep them in a separate tank with twice-weekly water changes for two weeks before adding them to a tank with shrimp or delicate fish. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. Sources: Tropica (tropica.com/en/plants); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hygrophiladifformis); 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. Side shoots that form on the stems and stems laid on the substrate also root.

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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