Hygrophila corymbosa is a very easy and robust plant to grow. It is a heavy nutrient consumer which makes it a good plant to use at the beginning of the aquarium. It can develop quite an extensive root system and extend outside the water. This behavior makes this plant suitable for non-CO2 injected systems with a rich substrate. CO2 injection and fertilization of the water column will of course be beneficial to this plant.

The leaves have a fresh green color under normal growing conditions. When the plant is exposed to very high light or nitrate limitation a red-brown tint will develop from the tip of the leaves. The stem is thick and hard with many branches and visible roots. The plant width can be quite large, 20cm and more. Young plants and frequent trimming may help lower the plant dimension.

The plant will readily break surface and if offered the possibility it will grow outside the water and even flower. The flowers are light purple and fragrant. The emersed leaves also have an aromatic smell. (Photo 2,3)

Perhaps another interesting behavior is the ability to grow a new plant from just a leaf. When water nutrients are plenty, a floating leaf can develop roots from the petiole and ultimately new plants.

The plant can be used as a background, a street or attached to hardscape.

Photo 1: Submersed H. corymbosa with slight nitrogen(N) deficiency. Source : Mihai Zamfir (Allwissend), 2017. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
Photo 2,3: Emersed H. corymbosa and flowers. Source : Mihai Zamfir (Allwissend), 2017. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
Photo 4: Emersed H. corymbosa 'compact' and flowers. Source : Jaap, 2008. All rights reserved. Used with permission.