{"id":4247,"date":"2025-03-13T20:09:07","date_gmt":"2025-03-13T20:09:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aquariumplants.com\/?post_type=product&p=4247"},"modified":"2025-03-13T20:09:16","modified_gmt":"2025-03-13T20:09:16","slug":"hygrophila-narrow-leaf-aka-willow-hygro-or-hygro-blue-hygrophila-salicifolia","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/www.aquariumplants.com\/product\/hygrophila-narrow-leaf-aka-willow-hygro-or-hygro-blue-hygrophila-salicifolia\/","title":{"rendered":"Hygrophila Narrow Leaf aka “Willow Hygro” or “Hygro Blue” (Hygrophila Salicifolia)"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Hygrophila salicifolia<\/strong> is another striking aquatic plant commonly used in freshwater aquariums. It is a member of the Acanthaceae family and is native to Southeast Asia. Its appearance and care needs make it a popular choice for aquascaping enthusiasts.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a detailed description of Hygrophila salicifolia<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

1. Appearance<\/strong>:<\/h3>\n
    \n
  • Leaves<\/strong>: The most notable feature of this plant is its long, narrow, and willow-like (salix = willow) leaves. The leaves are a rich green color, with a slightly glossy texture, and they grow in opposite pairs along the stem. The slender, elongated leaves give the plant a graceful and elegant appearance, making it a popular choice for adding verticality and movement in an aquascape.<\/li>\n
  • Stems<\/strong>: The stems are typically reddish or light brown and can grow up to 12\u201318 inches (30\u201345 cm) in height, though they can reach higher when grown in optimal conditions.<\/li>\n
  • Growth Pattern<\/strong>: Hygrophila salicifolia grows in an upright manner, and the leaves tend to form a bushy, dense cluster at the top, creating a nice contrast with other plants in the aquarium. It can be used as a background or midground plant, depending on the overall design of the aquascape.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    2. Care Requirements<\/strong>:<\/h3>\n
      \n
    • Light<\/strong>: This plant thrives under moderate to high lighting conditions. While it can tolerate lower light, its growth will slow down, and the leaves may not show their full vibrancy or shape.<\/li>\n
    • Water Conditions<\/strong>: Hygrophila salicifolia prefers warm water temperatures ranging between 72\u201382\u00b0F (22\u201328\u00b0C). It does best in slightly acidic to neutral pH levels (6.5\u20137.5) and in soft to moderately hard water.<\/li>\n
    • Substrate<\/strong>: Like many aquatic plants, it does best in a nutrient-rich substrate. However, it can also grow well when floating or attached to decorations in the tank.<\/li>\n
    • Nutrients<\/strong>: It benefits from regular fertilization, especially with a source of micronutrients and trace elements. Regular CO\u2082 injection in the aquarium can also help boost its growth and coloration.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      3. Propagation<\/strong>:<\/h3>\n
        \n
      • Stem Cuttings<\/strong>: Hygrophila salicifolia can be propagated easily by trimming healthy stems just above a node and replanting the cuttings in the substrate. The cuttings will form roots and develop into new plants.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        4. Aquarium Use<\/strong>:<\/h3>\n
          \n
        • Aesthetic Appeal<\/strong>: Hygrophila salicifolia is prized for its delicate and graceful appearance. Its willow-like leaves give it a unique, soft texture, making it a standout in any aquascape. It is often used to add vertical height and elegance to aquariums.<\/li>\n
        • Growth Behavior<\/strong>: The plant can grow relatively quickly in ideal conditions, providing a nice background or midground element in the tank. Its long, narrow leaves add a contrasting texture when placed next to plants with broader leaves.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          5. Compatibility<\/strong>:<\/h3>\n
            \n
          • Fish<\/strong>: Hygrophila salicifolia is generally compatible with most aquarium fish. However, it may be susceptible to grazing by herbivores or overly curious fish that nibble on plants.<\/li>\n
          • Shrimp and Snails<\/strong>: It is safe for shrimp and snails, though they may sometimes nibble on its softer parts, especially if other food sources are scarce.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            6. General Considerations<\/strong>:<\/h3>\n
              \n
            • This plant is fairly easy to care for but requires a bit of attention in terms of light and nutrient needs to thrive. It\u2019s a great option for both beginners and experienced aquascapers looking to add a unique, elegant plant to their aquariums.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              Overall, Hygrophila salicifolia<\/strong> is a visually stunning plant that provides a beautiful addition to aquascapes with its distinct willow-like foliage and graceful, vertical growth habit.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":4298,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"product_cat":[19],"product_tag":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-4247","1":"product","2":"type-product","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"product_cat-bunched-plants","7":"product_shipping_class-randall_sehr","9":"first","10":"outofstock","11":"shipping-taxable","12":"purchasable","13":"product-type-simple"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aquariumplants.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product\/4247","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aquariumplants.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aquariumplants.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/product"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aquariumplants.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4247"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aquariumplants.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4298"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aquariumplants.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4247"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"product_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aquariumplants.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_cat?post=4247"},{"taxonomy":"product_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aquariumplants.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_tag?post=4247"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}