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Hygrophila sp. 'Chai', also known as Hygrophila lancea 'Chai', is a rare variegated aquarium plant admired for its delicate pastel-pink, cream, and light-green foliage. Its narrow leaves feature green centres surrounded by pale pink to almost white margins, creating a distinctive colour accent unlike the deeper reds commonly found in planted aquariums.
This compact variety grows with a low, spreading habit and produces side shoots that gradually form a small, bushy group. Its miniature size makes it especially suitable for foreground and midground placement, where the unusual foliage can be displayed against dark rocks, driftwood, carpeting plants, or deeper green species.
Although it belongs to the generally adaptable Hygrophila group, 'Chai' is significantly more delicate than most of its relatives. It grows slowly and performs best in a mature, stable aquarium with strong lighting, consistent CO₂ injection, balanced fertilisation, clean water, and gentle circulation. When provided with suitable conditions, it develops compact growth and maintains its highly prized pink variegation.
Plant Type: Compact Creeping Stem Plant
Growth Rate: Slow
Difficulty: Advanced
Placement: Foreground to Midground
Height: Approximately 5–10 cm
Lighting Requirements: High
CO₂ Requirements: Strongly recommended for reliable growth
Propagation: Head cuttings, stem cuttings, and side shoots
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hygrophila lancea 'Chai' |
| Trade Name | Hygrophila sp. 'Chai' |
| Common Name | Chai Hygrophila |
| Family | Acanthaceae |
| Origin | Cultivated mutation first reported from Singapore |
| Plant Type | Compact Creeping Stem Plant |
| Placement | Foreground to Midground |
| Height | Approximately 5–10 cm |
| Growth Rate | Slow |
| Difficulty | Advanced |
| Lighting | High |
| CO₂ | Strongly recommended |
| Temperature | 20–28°C |
| pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Water Hardness | Soft to Moderately Hard |
| Propagation | Head cuttings, stem cuttings, and side shoots |
| Product Form | Tissue Culture Cup |
This Horizon plant is supplied as an in-vitro tissue culture plant grown under controlled laboratory conditions. Tissue culture plants are supplied free from algae, snails, parasites, and unwanted aquatic pests, making them an excellent choice for carefully maintained planted aquariums and sensitive shrimp setups.
Before planting, carefully remove the plant from the tissue culture cup and thoroughly rinse away all nutrient gel using clean aquarium water. The young plants are exceptionally delicate, so separate them gently into small portions while avoiding damage to their fine roots, stems, and growing tips.
Plant each portion into a mature, clean aquarium substrate with a small amount of space between plants. Avoid placing this variety into newly installed aquasoil or a recently established aquarium, as unstable conditions and excessive organic waste may cause rapid melting. If the portions are extremely small, allow them to establish roots in a protected area before moving them to their final position.
Hygrophila sp. 'Chai' requires unobstructed access to strong light. Keep faster-growing plants away from the immediate area, as this slow-growing variety can be easily shaded or crowded. Under insufficient lighting, the plant may grow more upright, lose density, and display weaker colouration.
Stable CO₂ injection, good gas exchange, and gentle water circulation are strongly recommended. Sudden reductions in CO₂ or nutrient availability may cause older leaves to deteriorate. A consistent supply of macronutrients and trace elements supports healthy growth, but avoid large or irregular changes in fertilisation.
The older leaves grow slowly and are susceptible to algae. Maintain excellent aquarium cleanliness, remove accumulated debris, and ensure that water can circulate gently around the plant. Avoid excessive lighting periods or unstable nutrient conditions that could encourage algae development.
Trim established stems above a healthy leaf node to encourage additional side shoots. Healthy upper cuttings can be replanted into open spaces once they are large enough to handle safely. Do not trim newly planted tissue culture portions until they have formed roots and begun producing stable submerged growth.
Under stress, the plant may produce brownish or greener leaves resembling the original non-variegated form. Remove strongly reverted shoots where practical and correct any instability in lighting, CO₂, nutrients, or water conditions to encourage continued pink growth.
Some tissue culture portions may experience temporary melting or leaf loss while adapting to submerged conditions. This variety has a more difficult tissue culture transition than many other aquarium plants. Maintain stable conditions and leave healthy roots and growing points in place while new aquarium-adapted foliage develops.
Please note: This is a delicate speciality plant recommended for mature, stable, CO₂-enriched aquariums. Its final colour, variegation, height, and density depend strongly on lighting, CO₂ availability, nutrients, water flow, aquarium cleanliness, and overall stability. As this is a living plant, its size, number of shoots, colour, and appearance may vary slightly from the photographs.
