Hemiographis colorata (5cm Pot) Care Guide

Hemiographis colorata, commonly known as Colorata Creeping Purple, is a beautiful, low-growing aquarium plant that displays striking purple, green, and silver leaves. It is perfect for adding vibrant colors and textures to the foreground or midground of aquariums. Here’s a concise care guide for this plant:

Care Requirements

• Tank Size: Suitable for tanks of 10 gallons or larger.
• Lighting: Moderate to high; bright lighting encourages the plant’s colorful leaves and promotes healthy growth.
• Temperature: 22–28°C (72–82°F); thrives in tropical conditions.
• pH Range: 6.0–7.5; slightly acidic to neutral water is ideal.
• Water Hardness: Soft to moderately hard (4–12 dGH).
• Substrate: Prefers a nutrient-rich substrate for optimal root development. It can also benefit from root tabs or liquid fertilizers.
• Growth Rate: Slow to moderate; it does not grow very quickly, making it a good choice for smaller tanks or aquascapes where a more compact appearance is desired.
• CO2 Requirement: Optional; while CO2 supplementation will promote faster growth, the plant can do well without it.

Key Tips

• Pruning: Since Hemiographis colorata grows slowly, it requires minimal pruning. However, you can trim any dead or damaged leaves to maintain its neat appearance.
• Fertilization: Regularly dose liquid fertilizers containing micronutrients like iron, potassium, and trace elements to keep the plant healthy and colorful.
• Water Flow: Prefers low to moderate water flow. Strong currents can damage the delicate leaves, causing them to break or become dislodged.
• Placement: Best placed in the foreground or midground due to its creeping growth pattern. It can also be used as ground cover to create a colorful carpet effect.
• Propagation: Easily propagated by cutting the stems and replanting them. This will encourage new shoots to grow from the cuttings.

Hemiographis colorata is a beautiful and easy-to-care-for plant, perfect for creating a colorful and textured aquascape. It is well-suited for both beginners and experienced hobbyists who want to add a unique touch to their aquarium. With the right care, this plant will thrive, adding vibrant shades of purple and green to your aquatic setup.