Hygrophila marble

Hygrophila rosanervig or Hygrophila marble, scientific name Hygrophila polysperma “Sunset” (“Rosanervig”). It is an artificially bred form from Hygrophila multi-seeded. Appeared in the nursery Tropica (Denmark) – a major European supplier of aquarium plants.

The main features of this variety are white veins and red leaves. They are caused by the presence of a virus in the tissues of the leaves, blocking the formation of chlorophyll. The virus is specialized and does not spread to other species, so Hygrophila marbled is safe to use in aquariums. The manifestation of red color is facilitated by bright lighting, additional maintenance of carbon dioxide and top dressing with the trace element of iron. It is the latter that is the basis of the color, without it the leaves will become pale or even white.

It is considered one of the easiest red plants to grow. Grows in almost any environment. Perfectly adapts to a wide range of temperatures, light levels and hydrochemical composition of water. The environment described above (bright light, CO2, fertilizers) promotes rapid growth, and at first it actively develops horizontal shoots. A similar phenomenon is characteristic of many stem plants, when in a favorable environment they tend to occupy as much space as possible and only then start up vertical sprouts. It is possible to limit the rapid growth without changing the growing conditions by regular pruning of the stems and side shoots.

Able to grow out of water on moist substrates. In this environment, it is not much different from Hygrophila multi-seeded. The leaves are losing their red color.