Plants

Hygrophila odora

IntermediateFreshwater

Origin: Hygrophila odora is an African species endemic to West Africa, where it grows in damp places and along riverbanks. It is rare in the hobby.

Also known as: Fragrant hygrophila, Hygrophila odora

Fact sheet

Height: 40 cm
Temperature: 23–28 °C
pH: 6–7.5
Lighting: Medium
CO₂: Recommended
Growth rate: Slow
Placement: Midground

Overview

Hygrophila odora is a rare African plant with narrow pinnately divided light green leaves forming lacy clumps. Emersed, the stems and leaves are covered with glandular hairs and give off a strong scent, which gives the species its name odora ('fragrant'); submerged the plant is smooth and lacy. It is a more demanding member of the genus: it likes soft water, CO2, and good nutrition. It grows relatively slowly and suits the midground. It is prized by collectors for its rarity and delicate foliage.

Appearance

Upright stems bear opposite narrow pinnately divided leaves 4–8 cm long, light green and lacy underwater. Emersed, the leaves have glandular hairs and a scent. Height is 30–40 cm; the plant is relatively compact and bushy.

Care

More demanding than ordinary hygrophilas: medium to strong light, CO2 dosing, 23–28 °C, pH 6.0–7.5, soft water (carbonate hardness preferably up to 6). Nutrient-rich substrate and regular fertilisation matter. It grows relatively slowly.

Fertilizing

It feeds through roots and leaves. Macro- and micronutrients, CO2, and phosphate matter. Under poor nutrition growth slows and the foliage shrinks.

Breeding

It propagates by top cuttings; the stem puts out side shoots. It roots more slowly than the undemanding hygrophilas.

Fun facts

The emersed form of Hygrophila odora is scented because of glandular hairs, which gives the species name odora. It is one of the few African species of the genus in the hobby. Because of its rarity it is prized by aquatic-plant collectors.