Photo: Paulo Nogueira, CC BY 4.0, via iNaturalist
Variable-leaf water hyacinth
Eichhornia diversifolia (Vahl) Urb.
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Height in the aquarium
medium to high
Light
medium
CO₂ needs
20–28 °C
Ideal temperature
Water parameters
Understand these values- Position
- background, midground
- Propagation
- cuttings
- Grows emersed
- Not known
In the wild
Overview
This stem plant grows dense foliage whose outline can recall a small palm. If it reaches the surface, it produces oval floating leaves and may bloom in blue. Its deep green makes a focal point in the middle or back of a planted aquarium.
- Scientific name
- Pontederia diversifolia Current valid name; in the hobby: Eichhornia diversifolia
- Classification
- Commelinales › Pontederiaceae
- IUCN Red List
- Not evaluated (NE)
Natural habitat
Central America, Caribbean, tropical South America
Observations (GBIF) and localities Native countries Introduced in Rivers and lakes
- Native countries
- Introduced by people
Outside its native range, in 8 countries:
An aquarium plant must never reach the wild: throwing away cuttings or emptying a tank into a stream can be enough to establish it.
Countries: Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP). Dots: GBIF observations in the native countries.
In the aquarium
Growing in the aquarium
Avoid shaded areas: the leaves can turn transparent and then drop. Added CO₂ and a steady supply of nutrients encourage sturdy stems; deficiencies in particular make the bottom of the stand die back. Leave room for branching, then replant the side shoots to propagate the plant.
Sources:Flowgrow GBIF POWO (Kew) · Base map: Natural Earth