Hygrophila pinnatifida
Also sold as Pinnatifida
Synonyms Hygro pinnatifida · Hygro pinnatafida
Hygrophila pinnatifida is an epiphyte for the midground and rock and wood, growing to about 40 cm (15.7 in) at a slow pace. It wants 68–82°F (20–28°C), medium light and CO₂ if you have it, and counts as a medium-difficulty plant to keep alive.
At a glance
| Type | Epiphyte |
|---|---|
| Light | MediumThe least light it survives in, not the light it looks best in. |
| CO₂ | RecommendedWhether it survives without added CO₂ — not whether CO₂ would help it grow faster. |
| Difficulty | Medium |
| Temperature | 68–82°F (20–28°C) |
| Max height | 40 cm (15.7 in)Grown submersed, left to mature, never trimmed. |
| Growth rate | Slow |
| Placement | attached to rock or wood |
| pH | 6–7.5 |
Before it goes in
- Hygrophila pinnatifida needs medium light. Under a low-light LED it thins out instead of filling in.
- CO₂ is not required, but without it expect slow growth and a thinner result.
- Glue or tie it to rock or wood. Buried in the substrate the rhizome rots, which is the usual way Hygrophila pinnatifida is killed.
- It only colours up under strong light with CO₂; in a low-tech tank it stays green.
- At about 40 cm (15.7 in) it belongs behind everything shorter — planted at the front it hides the rest of the scape and shades it.
Can it grow without CO₂?
Yes, but slowly. Hygrophila pinnatifida is listed as CO₂-recommended, not CO₂-required: without injection it survives and grows, it just takes far longer to fill in.
How much light does it need?
Medium light — and that is the survival line, not the “it looks better” line. Colour is a separate question: it only turns red under strong light with CO₂.
How big does it get?
About 40 cm (15.7 in) tall when it is mature and untrimmed, growing slowly, after roughly 3 weeks to root in.
Can I attach it to wood or rock?
Yes, and that is the only way to keep it. Glue or tie it down; buried in the substrate the rhizome rots.
What it goes with
- Plants that run on the same light and CO₂, so they can share a tank without one of them being the odd one out: Hygrophila corymbosa 'Siamensis', Water Sprite, Cryptocoryne wendtii and Dwarf Hairgrass Mini.
- Animals that share its temperature range and will not eat or uproot it: Betta, Cherry Shrimp, Angelfish and Bristlenose Pleco.
Often compared with
| Hygrophila pinnatifida | Anubias hastifolia | Bolbitis | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light | Medium | Low | Medium |
| CO₂ | Recommended | Not needed | Recommended |
| Max height | 40 cm | 40 cm | 40 cm |
| Difficulty | Medium | Easy | Medium |
More plants
Sources (2) · checked Sep 2026
- Light, CO₂aquasabi.com
- Max heighttropica.com