Hygrophila sp. Chai UNS Tissue Culture
Plant Profile
Hygrophila Lancea 'Araguaia' Sp. Chai, commonly known as Hygrophila Chai, is an extremely rare and highly coveted pink mutation of the classic Hygrophila lancea 'Araguaia'. Originating as a specialized tissue-culture mutation in Singapore, this collector plant features narrow, elongated leaves characterized by striking olive-red bases with intense pastel pink margins and tips. While it shares the compact, low-growing, bushy structure of standard Araguaia, its breathtaking pink coloration and limited availability make it one of the most prized midground focal points in high-tech aquascaping. Quantity is limited, and supply is infrequent.
Tissue Culture cups ensure your aquascape gets a super clean starting point. Lab‑grown and fully sterile, it arrives without pests, snails, duckweed, or any unwanted algae. It’s the go‑to option for anyone who wants peace of mind when adding fresh greenery to a carefully maintained setup.
Key Features & Benefits
- Ultra-rare pink variegated mutation featuring olive-red foliage with pastel-pink leaf tips and margins.
- Short, bushy branching growth habit naturally creates a dense, spreading midground centerpiece or low-growing foreground terrace.
- Provides unrivaled visual contrast against green mosses and dark hardscape elements.
Care & Planting Instructions
- Thoroughly wash away the nutrient gel from the roots with your fingers before parting it out into manageable portions.
- Use fine-tip pinsettes to plant small stem clusters 1 inch apart into aquarium soil.
- Provide high-intensity LED lighting and pressurized CO2 injection; consistent iron and micronutrient dosing is required to maintain its signature pink coloration and prevent stunting. See our guide to growing red aquarium plants.
- Maintain stable water parameters and avoid sudden environmental shifts to prevent leaf melt or stem rotting.
- Trim lateral shoots or stem tops with straight scissors, replanting the trimmings directly into the substrate to encourage compact side branching. Read our trimming & propagation guide for details.
Quick Facts
Listed information should be treated as general guidelines only. Team Buce Plant encourages you to do thorough research to ensure healthy growth!
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hygrophila lancea 'Araguaia' Sp. 'Chai' |
| Common Name(s) | Hygrophila Chai, Hygrophila Araguaia Chai, Hygrophila Sp. Chai |
| Family | Acanthaceae / Lythraceae |
| Plant Type / Taxonomy | Stem Plant / Compact Bushing Mutation |
| Care Difficulty | Medium to Difficult (High-Tech Required) |
| Light Requirement | High |
| CO2 Requirement | Required (Essential for pink coloration and growth) |
| Placement / Usage | Midground Bushing / Foreground Focal Point |
| Height / Size | 2–5” |
| Growth Rate | Moderate to Fast |
| Water Parameters | pH 6.5–7.5 |
| Propagation Method | Cuttings (Trim lateral shoots or main stem and replant) |
| Origin | Singapore (Cultivated Mutation) |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why are the lower leaves falling off my stem plants?
Lower leaf loss (leggy stems) usually occurs when lighting cannot reach the bottom of the plant due to overcrowding or shading from larger plants. Spacing individual stems slightly apart during initial planting and maintaining strong light penetration will keep lower leaves healthy.
2. How do I maintain the bright pink color on Hygrophila Chai?
Hygrophila Chai requires high light intensity, mandatory pressurized CO2, a nutrient-dense substrate, and regular micronutrient/iron dosing. Without intense light and adequate nutrients, the delicate pink margins will fade or stall in growth.
3. How do I prepare Hygrophila sp. Chai Tissue Culture before planting?
Carefully remove the gel from the roots by washing the plant in a bowl of room-temperature water or gently rinsing it under a tap. Once the gel is removed, separate the dense cluster into smaller clumps or individual stems and plant them into substrate using fine pinsettes.