Water Wisteria

Water Wisteria (Hygrophila difformis) is found in its natural habit in the marshlands of the Indian subcontinent. Confusingly, it is not related to the land-based plant of the same name.

Wisteria has attractive lacy-looking leaves, which range in color from light to dark green. The color of your plant depends on your tank conditions.

Wisteria can grow to 18” tall. However, it rarely reaches over a foot in cold water goldfish tanks.

Caring for Water Wisteria

Water Wisteria is an excellent pick for the first time goldfish keeper. It is very undemanding, easy to care for and forgiving of beginner mistakes. The plant looks best when placed in the middle of the tank.

However, it does require the addition of an iron-rich fertilizer for the tank, and a general substrate fertilizer with CO2.

You should provide a moderate amounts of lighting. It thrives in a pH range of 6.5-7.5.

The plant is best kept potted. That said, it can also be planted in the substrate or allowed to take root on driftwood and ornaments.

A well cared for potted Wisteria plant will live for 18 months to 2 years.

Keeping Water Wisteria with goldfish

Goldfish love to swim among Wisteria leaves and will sometimes nibble on the plants.

Fortunately, the plant is particularly easy to grow from cuttings. So, if you find your goldfish take a liking to it, you will be able to grow more to keep up with demand.

Where to buy it

Water Wisteria is readily available to buy from pet shops that stock fish, specialist aquarium retailers, online stores and garden centres.

Water Wisteria is a popular plant within the tropical freshwater aquarium. Therefore, it’s worth taking care to buy a plant that has been kept in coldwater already.

Alternatively, be prepared to spend some time acclimatizing your plant to the cooler temperature of the goldfish tank.

Water Wisteria usually retails for around $3 for a rooted cutting. Or around $5-$6 for a potted plant.

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