Hygrophila Lancea 'Araguaia'

Quick facts

Identity

Also known as

Hygrophila Araguaia; Hygrophila sp. Chai

Synonyms

Hygrophila sp. Chai; Hygrophila sp. Pink Chai; Hygrophila lancea 'Araguaia' 'Chai'; Hygrophila Araguaia Chai

Environment

Freshwater

Native to

Captive-bred variety

Habitat

Cultivated variegated selection with no wild habitat; parent species Hygrophila lancea grows emersed along ditches and wet stream margins in East Asia, submersing seasonally when water levels rise.

Sourcing

Tissue culture

Conservation

Not Evaluated

Care

Care level

Difficult

Growth form

Stem

Max height

2 – 4 in (5.1 – 10 cm)

Spread

4 in (10 cm)

Growth rate

Slow

Placement

Midground, Foreground

Water

Temperature

72 – 82 °F (22 – 28 °C)

pH

6.0 – 7.0

GH

2 – 8 dGH

PAR

60 – 80 PAR

Flow

Low-Moderate

Light

High

CO₂

Required

Planting

Substrate

Nutrient-rich preferred

Feeds from

Both

Fertilizer needs

High

Colors

Green, Red, Pink, Cream, Variegated

Feeding & breeding

Propagation

Cuttings

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Care guide

Overview

Compact, short bushes give this cultivar a spreading midground effect rather than tall stem growth. Submersed leaves develop reddish-brown to deep pink hues around a pale central vein when light, CO2, and micronutrients are well balanced. Growth stays slow, and fresh cuttings often melt back before adjusting to submersed form.

Care

This cultivar demands more attention than typical stem plants because the variegated margins carry little chlorophyll, leaving most photosynthesis to the narrow green-to-olive center of the leaf. Strong lighting in the 60-80 PAR range, injected CO2, and consistent micronutrient dosing (especially iron) are needed to hold the pink coloration and keep growth from stalling. Even under ideal conditions growth stays slow, so it pairs poorly with fast-growing neighbors that can shade or overrun it, and a clean, low-organic-load tank helps prevent melt.

Planting & trimming

Strip the lower leaves from each stem before inserting it one to two inches into the substrate, spacing stems apart so light reaches the lower foliage, and handle the delicate tissue gently to avoid crushing it. It can also be grown unrooted and tied or wedged onto wood or rock as a quasi-epiphyte, though this requires extra liquid fertilization to replace nutrients normally drawn through the roots. Regular trimming of shoot tips keeps the growth low, bushy, and compact rather than leggy.

Fertilizing

Plant in a nutrient-rich aqua soil substrate and supplement weekly with a comprehensive liquid fertilizer, paying particular attention to iron and other micronutrients since these directly influence the intensity of the pink and red tones. Inert substrates such as plain sand or gravel will need heavier liquid dosing to compensate for the lack of root-zone nutrition. Fading to pale green or stalled growth usually signals a fertilization or CO2 shortfall rather than a lighting problem.

Propagation

Propagate by cutting healthy stem tips and replanting them directly into the substrate; the parent stem will branch out from the cut point. Routine trimming doubles as a propagation method, since the trimmed tops can be replanted to build up a fuller group over time.

Problems

Freshly transitioned emersed-grown stock commonly melts back as it converts to submersed leaf form, dropping older foliage before new growth appears, so patience is needed during this adjustment period. Algae fouling the leaves typically points to lighting or CO2 running ahead of nutrient uptake and maintenance, and can be managed by trimming the photoperiod slightly or adding algae-grazing shrimp. Because the variegated tissue is fragile and slow-growing, unstable water parameters or rough handling during planting can trigger stem rot or further melt.

Sources

1. Hygrophila lancea 'Araguaia' sp. Chai – Garden Aquaria
2. Hygrophila Chai care: light, CO2 and placement · TankBud
3. Hygrophila Araguaia (Hygrophila lancea 'Araguaia'): Care Guide - Fish Laboratory
4. How to Grow Hygrophila sp. 'Chai': The Ultimate Care Guide for This Rare Aquatic Plant – Aquarium Plants Factory

Varieties in the catalog

Hygrophila Lancea 'Araguaia' Sp Chai

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