Hygrophila polysperma 'White'

Hygrophila polysperma 'White' stands out in the aquarium with its rare pale green and white variegation. This cultivar of Indian swampweed was selected in the greenhouses of Tropica Aquarium Plants. The White Variegated Hygrophila develops an upright, branching growth habit under water. In its emersed form, the leaves have a light green centre and white margins. In submerged growth, the green becomes much paler and barely contrasts with the white leaf edges, giving the plant an almost completely white appearance. Although this stem plant is often described as slow-growing, it actually grows quite fast and lags little behind the normal all-green Hygrophila polysperma.

Due to its white variegation, Hygrophila polysperma 'White' contains less chlorophyll and should therefore receive slightly more light than its green parent form. A good supply of macro- and micronutrients through the water column also helps to maintain the bright, healthy variegation. Additional CO₂ is not always essential, but greatly promotes growth.
White Variegated Hygrophila is usually sold as an in vitro plant. After being removed from the sterile culture cup and planted in the aquarium, it may show some sensitivity during the acclimatisation phase. In general, tissue-cultured aquarium plants adapt best in an already cycled, biologically stable aquarium. After rinsing off the nutrient gel, the shoots should be separated and planted individually or in small bunches with a little space between them in the substrate. Once established and growing well, regular trimming is recommended; ideally the plant should be maintained at a height of around 15–40 cm. Propagation is easy, as cut shoot tips can simply be replanted into the substrate, where they readily develop roots.

With its upright, branching growth habit, Hygrophila polysperma 'White' is well suited to the midground or background of the aquarium. It creates an excellent bright focal point among dark green plants, red stem plants, or delicate mosses. Set against dark hardscape such as lava rock or driftwood, its pale variegation appears almost to hover in the aquarium.