Hygrophila sp. 'Tiger'

🌿 Hygrophila sp. 'Tiger'

Hygrophila sp. 'Tiger', commonly known as Tiger Hygrophila, is a striking aquatic stem plant distinguished by its unique tiger-stripe leaf patterns. Its vibrant orange-brown to reddish leaves featuring dark, contrasting veins make it a visually captivating addition to high-tech and mid-tech aquariums.

🌱 Growth & Appearance

This plant produces sturdy stems lined with elongated leaves that display a warm terracotta to deep orange coloration. The defining characteristic is the intricate net-like pattern of dark veins running across each leaf, giving it a distinct mottled appearance.

Under strong lighting and steady nutrient levels, the foliage grows lush and compact. Regular trimming encourages lateral branching, helping create a bold, bushy group with exceptional texture and warmth.

💡 Lighting & CO₂

Hygrophila sp. 'Tiger' achieves its best coloration under moderate-high to high lighting. Intense light sharpens the dark leaf veining and deepens the underlying orange and red pigments.

Pressurized CO₂ injection is highly recommended to bring out its full color intensity and ensure clean, robust leaf development. In low-CO₂ environments, growth will remain predominantly olive-green with muted leaf patterns.

🪴 Planting & Maintenance

Plant individual stems into a nutrient-rich aquasoil using tweezers, keeping a small gap between stems to allow light to penetrate the lower leaves. As the stems grow tall, cut the upper portions and replant the healthy tops into the substrate to propagate.

Frequent trimming prevents lower stems from shedding leaves due to shade and maintains a thick, compact arrangement.

🌿 Best Use

Hygrophila sp. 'Tiger' is an outstanding midground to background stem plant for nature aquascapes, Dutch layouts, and collector setups.

Its warm orange hues and textured pattern provide an incredible visual bridge between traditional green stems and deep red species like Rotala or Ludwigia.

✨ Plant Profile

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Growth Rate: Medium to Fast

Lighting: Medium to High

CO₂: Recommended

Temperature: 20–28°C

Placement: Midground to Background

Growth Type: Stem Plant

Propagation: Stem Cuttings