Hemigraphis Repanda / Dragon's Tongue

Quick facts

Identity

Also known as

Green Dragon's Tongue; Dragon Tongue

Environment

Freshwater

Native to

Malaysia, Indonesia, Southeast Asia

Habitat

Rainforest understory on constantly damp muddy soils and shaded, marshy stream edges

Sourcing

Captive-bred

Conservation

Not Evaluated

Care

Care level

Easy

Growth form

Upright

Max height

4 – 10 in (10 – 25 cm)

Spread

8 in (20 cm)

Growth rate

Moderate

Placement

Foreground, Midground

Water

Temperature

68 – 82 °F (20 – 28 °C)

pH

6.0 – 7.5

Light

Medium

CO₂

Not needed

Planting

Substrate

Nutrient-rich preferred

Feeds from

Roots

Fertilizer needs

Medium

Colors

Green, Purple

Feeding & breeding

Propagation

Cuttings, Rhizome division

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Care guide

Overview

Grown from stock native to Southeast Asian stream banks and rainforest understory, this Hemigraphis is propagated for terrarium and paludarium use rather than true aquatic culture. Its ruffled leaves show green tops and purple undersides, and it needs emersed placement in humid, well-drained conditions, since prolonged submersion causes melt and root rot.

Care

Dragon's Tongue is a low, spreading shrub grown for its rippled green foliage that often shows a purple to burgundy underside in good light. It is not a true aquatic plant despite frequently being sold in aquarium stores, and permanent submersion leads to root rot and leaf melt within weeks to months. Keep it emersed in a paludarium, terrarium, or humid vivarium with well-drained soil and moderate to bright indirect light, misting or maintaining high ambient humidity to keep the foliage from drying out.

Planting & trimming

Rinse growing media or cotton from the roots before planting into a well-drained, organically rich terrestrial or paludarium soil, keeping the crown above the waterline. Some growers keep the root ball in wet substrate at the water's edge with the stems and leaves fully emersed, acclimating new plants to high humidity for the first few weeks before easing them toward ambient room conditions. Trim leggy stems to encourage bushier, low spreading growth and to propagate cuttings.

Fertilizing

Feed with a diluted liquid houseplant fertilizer at roughly half strength during active growth in spring and summer, tapering off in cooler months when growth slows. In soil-based paludarium setups the plant draws nutrients mainly through its roots, so a nutrient-rich terrestrial substrate or occasional root tabs support fuller growth. Pale or fading leaf color usually signals insufficient light rather than a nutrient deficiency, since foliage tends to green up under low light and deepen in purple tones under brighter exposure.

Propagation

Propagate readily from stem cuttings placed in moist soil or by dividing established root clumps, both of which root within a few weeks under humid conditions. Division is best performed during the active growing season in spring or summer rather than during winter dormancy.

Problems

The most common problem is melt and root rot brought on by prolonged submersion or waterlogged soil, since the roots need oxygen and cannot tolerate constant saturation. In overly still, humid enclosures with poor air exchange it can also develop fungal spotting on the leaves, so some ventilation helps. Cold drafts or temperature drops below the mid 60s F can trigger stem rot and should be avoided.

Sources

1. Hemigraphis Repanda Green – Nature Aquariums USA
2. Hemigraphis Dragon's Tongue – Growing Dragon's Tongue In An Aquarium | Gardening Know How
3. Hemigraphis repanda Aquatic Plant Care | Atlarium
4. How to Care for Dragon's Tongue Plant? - Plant Index

Varieties in the catalog

Hemigraphis Repanda Green

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