Hygrophila corymbosa "Siamensis"

Hygrophila corymbosa 'Siamensis' is a very robust aquarium plant, easy to obtain as well as easy to cultivate. It is one of many varieties of Hygrophila corymbosa, a very variable species that is found in all of Southeast Asia.

H. corymbosa 'Siamensis' can be kept in almost any aquarium, except in too small or too poorly lit a tank. It doesn't have high requirements regarding lighting and nutrient supply, and it tolerates a wide range of water hardness and temperatures. However, if the light intensity in relation to iron supply is too high it may develop symptoms of iron deficiency - green leaf nerves in yellowish leaf tissue. A lack of macronutrients may stunt its growth. Therefore one should make sure this plant, though hardy, is supplied with nutrients just like any other aquarium plant.
When the nutrient supply is good and the light intense, H. corymbosa 'Siamensis' assumes a slight bronze-coloured hue.

Beginning keepers of emersed aquarium plants will find that H. corymbosa 'Siamensis' is a very suitable plant as it is highly adaptable to different environmental conditions. The emersed form should be fertilised similar to the submersed plant. If everything is done right, the emersed plant will soon sprout beautiful purple flowers.

H. corymbosa 'Siamensis' is a beautiful plant for the middle- to background of any aquarium. It is a fast grower, though, and needs to be cut back regularly. Propagation is easy - just cut off a shoot and replant it; if you cut off the top shoot you can control the growth of the plant, at least a bit, and induce ramification, as it will sprout even more lateral shoots. A terraced group of stems of different length is a very nice eyecatcher.
H. corymbosa 'Siamensis' is especially suited for Asian-themed tanks and biotope tanks. Together with Cryptocorynes and schooling cyprinids like Trigonostigma espei or T. heteromorpha, this Hygrophila brings a very natural touch to the aquarium.