Hemigraphis Alternata / Purple Waffle

Not a true aquatic. Hemigraphis alternata — Purple Waffle — grows deeply puckered leaves, green above and rich purple beneath, on low spreading stems. It is widely sold for aquariums because it tolerates submersion for months at a time, but it cannot live underwater permanently. Treat it as a terrarium, vivarium or paludarium plant that can take a temporary posting below the waterline.

What You’ll Receive

• Sold as loose Fresh-cut Plants, Bunched plants, or Potted plants
• Fresh-cut plants | 2-3 stems, loose fresh-cut plants
• Bunched plants | 2-3 fresh-cut plants with foam, and lead weight
• Potted plants | 2-3 fresh-cut plants with net pot and rock wool

Plant Profile

• Common name — Purple Waffle
• Scientific name — Hemigraphis alternata
• Also known as — Strobilanthes alternata, Red Ivy, Red-Flame Ivy
• True aquatic — No. Tolerates months submerged, then needs to recover emersed
• Origin — Java
• Placement — Terrarium, vivarium, paludarium; temporary aquarium use
• Shipped size — 2-3 stems
• Mature height — 3–6 in
• Growth rate — Medium

Care

• Difficulty — Beginner
• Light — Medium. Partial sunlight or LED daylight
• CO₂ — Not required
• Humidity — High, with consistently moist soil when grown emersed
• Water — 70–80°F · pH 6.0–7.5
• Substrate — Moist soil or nutrient substrate
• Growth habit — Terrestrial creeper. Tolerates temporary submersion
• Propagation — Cuttings

Grower’s Notes

• It works underwater on a rotation, not permanently. Submerged it will hold for several months and may even put on growth and roots — which is why people believe it is aquatic. After that it needs lifting and growing emersed for a few months to rebuild reserves before it can go back under. Plant it once and forget it, and it will eventually collapse.
• The color is on the underside of the leaf. Plant it where the foliage tilts or trails so the purple shows, rather than viewed flat from above.
• Grown emersed it wants high humidity and wet soil — a closed terrarium or vivarium suits it far better than an open room.
• The recovery phase matters most right after a change of environment. Keep humidity high and the soil damp while it re-establishes.
• Cuttings root readily, so one portion becomes several plants across a vivarium floor.

Notes

• Pictures are not the actual plants you will receive, but a sample representation. Unless specific, we don't guarantee plants will be free of pests or pesticides.
• Never release aquarium plants into natural waterways.

At a glance

• Free shipping on orders of $150 or more (after discounts) within the contiguous United States, by USPS.
• Free thermal protection is included with every shipment, all year round.
• Processing: most orders leave us within 1 to 2 business days. Tracking is emailed when your order ships.
• USPS (2 to 5 business days) ships Monday through Saturday.
• UPS 2nd Day Air® ships Monday through Wednesday. Order by Tuesday at 6:00 AM Pacific Time for same-week delivery.
• UPS Next Day Air® ships Monday through Thursday. Order by Wednesday at 6:00 AM Pacific Time for same-week delivery.
• Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands and military addresses ship by USPS at a flat rate shown at checkout.
• Weather holds: during extreme heat or cold we may hold live orders until it's safe to ship.
• We ship within the United States only.

Please bring live plants indoors and unpack them the day they arrive. Every live order is covered by our 24-Hour Live Arrival Guarantee.

The complete rules, including lost packages and address issues, are in our Shipping Policy. If anything conflicts, that policy applies.

Every live order is backed by our 24-Hour Live Arrival Guarantee. If a plant arrives dead, we'll make it right.

How it works

• Tell us within 24 hours of the delivery time on your tracking.
• Send photos of the affected items in their original, unopened packaging, plus a photo of the shipping label, to hello@aquariumplantsfactory.com with your order number.
• We'll make it right with a replacement, store credit or refund for the affected item.

Good to know

• Some melting or yellowing as plants adjust from greenhouse to aquarium life is normal. They regrow from healthy roots and rhizomes.
• Please bring your package indoors and unpack it the day it arrives.
• Free promotional items and shipping charges are not covered.

The complete rules, including what's covered and what voids the guarantee, are in our Returns, Refunds & Live Arrival Guarantee. If anything conflicts, that policy applies.

Please review your state's regulations on restricted plants, as we are committed to not shipping plants that are restricted in your area. Do not release any plants into the wild or waterways, as this can harm local ecosystems by introducing invasive species.

Your cooperation in protecting the environment is appreciated. For continuously updated information, refer to the USDA State Noxious Weed list here.

Thank you for your responsible commitment to environmental preservation.