Nomaphila Stricta (Siamensis)

Quick facts

Identity

Also known as

Temple plant; Giant hygro; Thai water friend; Siamensis 53B

Synonyms

Hygrophila corymbosa 'Siamensis'; Nomaphila stricta; Nomaphila siamensis

Environment

Freshwater

Native to

Thailand, Cambodia, Southeast Asia

Habitat

Marshes, ditches, rice paddies, and slow-moving or seasonally flooded waterways in Southeast Asia

Sourcing

Aquacultured

Conservation

Not Evaluated

Care

Care level

Easy

Growth form

Stem

Max height

4 – 16 in (10 – 41 cm)

Spread

6 in (15 cm)

Growth rate

Fast

Placement

Midground, Background

Water

Temperature

68 – 86 °F (20 – 30 °C)

pH

6.0 – 7.5

GH

2 – 18 dGH

PAR

30 – 80 PAR

Flow

Low-Moderate

Light

Medium

CO₂

Beneficial

Planting

Substrate

Nutrient-rich preferred

Feeds from

Both

Fertilizer needs

Medium

Colors

Green

Feeding & breeding

Propagation

Cuttings

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Care guide

Overview

Nomaphila Stricta is the older taxonomic name for Hygrophila siamensis, a Southeast Asian stem plant with broad lance-shaped leaves on sturdy upright stems. It fills midground and background space quickly under low or high light, and adapts to emersed growth in paludariums with slightly bluer foliage above the waterline. Regular topping keeps stems bushy rather than tall and bare.

Care

This stem plant tolerates a wide range of light levels and does not require injected CO2, though growth is fuller and leaves stay denser under medium to bright light. Stems grow quickly and can reach the surface within weeks in smaller tanks, so regular topping keeps the plant bushy and prevents it from shading out neighbors. It adapts readily to being grown emersed, producing broader, slightly bluish leaves above the waterline in open-top setups or paludariums.

Planting & trimming

Plant groups of three to five stems with a couple of nodes buried in the substrate, spacing them a few inches apart to allow for the broad leaves to spread. Once a stem reaches the surface, cut the top few inches and replant it; the cutting roots within one to two weeks and the remaining lower stem will branch into new side shoots. Trim regularly to maintain a bushy background hedge rather than a few tall, leggy stems.

Fertilizing

Growth responds well to a nutrient-rich substrate combined with root tabs, since the plant draws a portion of its nutrition through its roots. Liquid fertilizer dosed for iron and other micronutrients helps keep new leaves a healthy green and prevents pale or yellowing growth. Deficiencies typically show first in the newer top leaves, so a consistent dosing routine avoids stunted or discolored shoots.

Propagation

Propagation is by cutting the growing tip and replanting it directly into the substrate, where it forms roots within a week or two. The original lower stem left behind will usually branch and produce multiple new shoots, allowing a single plant to multiply steadily over time.

Problems

Established stems rarely melt, but freshly planted or emersed-grown specimens can shed their lower leaves as they adjust to submersed conditions before pushing new growth. Low light or a lack of root feeding tends to produce leggy stems with sparse foliage near the base. Given adequate nutrients this plant is otherwise resistant to common algae problems since its fast growth outcompetes algae for resources.

Sources

1. Hygrophila corymbosa 'Stricta' - Tropica Aquarium Plants
2. Hygrophila Siamensis care: light, CO2 and placement · TankBud
3. Giant hygrophila (Hygrophila corymbosa) - Scale & Stem
4. Nomaphila: Nomaphila Siamensis

Varieties in the catalog

Hygrophila Siamensis

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