A plant that changes species when you submerge it. Hygrophila odora grows upright, hairy, lance-shaped leaves above water — and finely divided, hairless, almost feathery ones below it. The two forms look so unalike that photographs of the same plant are routinely mistaken for different species. This is the sterile Vitro Culture® format.
What You'll Receive
- Sold as Tissue Culture plants in vitamin-rich gel
- Bag size: Approx. 4 inches, yield many small plants
- Tissue Culture Technology | 100% Free from Snail, Algae, Pathogen, and Bacteria plus Extended Shelf Life on all in Vitro Plants
Plant Profile
- Common name — Hygrophila Afrika
- Scientific name — Hygrophila odora
- Also known as — Hygrophila sp. 'Guinea', Hygrophila sp. 'Afrika'
- Origin — West Africa: Guinea, Liberia, Senegal and Sierra Leone
- Placement — Midground to background
- Shipped size — Small tissue-cultured plantlets, roughly 1-2 in
- Mature height — 8–16 in
- Suits — 10 gallons and up
- Growth rate — Medium
Care
- Difficulty — Beginner
- Light — Medium. Stronger light keeps growth compact rather than stretched
- CO₂ — Recommended, not required
- Water — 68–82°F · pH 6.0–7.5
- Substrate — Required. Nutrient substrate supports root development
- Growth habit — Amphibious. Grows emersed, which suits paludariums and ripariums
- Propagation — Cuttings — trim and replant stems or lateral shoots
Grower's Notes
- Watch phosphate specifically. This species is unusually sensitive to phosphate deficiency and shows it before other plants do — keep PO₄ at roughly 0.3 mg/L or above. If it stalls while everything else in the tank thrives, phosphate is the first thing to test.
- The two leaf forms are the same plant. Emersed growth is hairy and lance-shaped; submerged growth is smooth and finely divided. Expect the arriving foliage to be replaced entirely as it converts.
- Grown above water it is genuinely aromatic — the glandular hairs release a strong musky scent when handled. That trait disappears underwater.
- Floating stems throw side shoots, which is a quick way to build stock before planting them out.
- Emersed plants can flower light blue to purple, so it earns a place in a paludarium as well as an aquarium.
Notes
- Photos shown are for reference only. Actual plants may vary in size, shape, or form depending on growth stage and conditions. While tissue culture eliminates most risks, we cannot guarantee plants will be entirely free of pests or that they will arrive fully submerged or emersed.
- 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.
Customers praised this aquatic plant for arriving in "great condition" with healthy, vibrant moss. Many noted the convenience of pre-attached slate backing, calling it "easy breezy" to install. Shrimp and fish loved it. One customer reported "many dead/dying leaves" and plants "upside down in gel." Most reviews highlighted fast shipping and excellent packaging.
- Shrimp went straight for it. It's healthy, fluffy, and green, making my shrimp very happy.
- It was perfect. Nice and green and I didn't have to tie the moss to something.
- It arrived in awesome shape. Looks happy and healthy!
C
Plonked the slate into the tank, gently fluffed the moss a little with tweezers, and my shrimp went straight for it. It's been in there for a few days now, and it's still healthy, fluffy, and green, and making my shrimp very happy. Will definitely buy again.
F
IT WAS PERFECT! JUST WHAT I NEEDED. LOVED THAT IT WAS ALREADY ANCHORED SO ALL I HAD TO DO WAS ADD TO MY TANK. CAME ONLY A FEW DAYS AFTER ORDERING. FAST SHIPPING! MY FRY REALLY LOVED!
C
Java moss arrived looking great! Arrived in 5 days, might have been sooner if didn't order on a Wednesday but that didn't seem to affect how it arrived due to great packaging.
L
Beautiful! Came all the way across the country during summer heat and was perfect! Green and healthy! Using it to start a moss carpet in my Zen area of 75 Gallon.
N
Very cute little slate rock with healthy java moss on it. Can't wait to watch it grow. My little ghost shrimp love it
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L
My lil boy went right to it when we put it in. The moss is attached extremely well and its all I was hoping for.
D
the Java moss on slate stone and the water Lilly I ordered both came in at same time great condition. And quality both are doing very well after 3 days being placed in my aquarium will be returning in the future to purchase more of these beautiful plants as I continue planting my new aquarium
E
I bought 4 of these beauties & they came 2 per pack slate to slate ! Highly appreciated (less plastic & convenience) My baby Balas love grooming these making them thrive !! They came nicely wrapped on slate & have grown in well
E
They look nice and as expected. I ordered two, shown in the pictures. Don’t mind the white stuff, it is sand from my tank getting into the moss.
B
I received this about a week ago I haven’t had any problems for it, hitchhikers or anything
This said it was coming from California when it shipped, so given the time it took, I believe it came in rather lovely condition
T
No hitch-hikers, full and green. What more can you ask for? Oh yeah, fast shipping. Can't wait to see this moss grow!
A
This is exactly what we needed, arrived beautiful and green, and only one day in they’re starting to fluff up. Super fast order fulfillment and shipping as well
H
Amazing quality with no pear snails, definitely buying from this company in the future great service and amazing touch to my tank
R
The moss on the slate arrived in good time. It was packaged well also. I checked it for any "hitchikers" snails, etc. None found! It appears to be very healthy, and is growing after just a few days. I 'm glad I finally got this addition for my fish! They seem to Love It!
Q
They are perfect for my set up. I actually use it as a lawn because I have a moderate light set up (75 gal) and I can't grow hair grass. I let it grow about a inch night then trim it down. Looks great I plan on getting more to cover the empty space
B
These were so healthy when arriving! I’ve had them for about two weeks and they seem to be doing very well.
C
Not in very good condition for the price many dead/dying leaves. Some plants were up sode down in gel.
S
I love this plant! I already have difformis in my tank, but they get so large, and i wanted something a bit more compact. These are lovely, even though they're still small, but I can't wait to see what they look like when they start getting taller. As always, great plants from Aquarium Plants Factory!
A
The Java moss on a stone rectangle (I bought seven, for the front edge of the aquarium) fits neatly into place, and by next morning I had a delicate lacy hedge for foreground. Beautiful effect, beautiful plants.
D
I really like it very full and healthy looking. Was worried because mail got it late to me and it was very cold. I just let it get room temp and put it in and it looks great.
A
I bought this thinking I wanted to use it as a ground option plant (because of the slate) but then I ended up placing them in the groves oh my Malaysian driftwood and it was so beautiful. The colors are so natural and the quality is superb. I’m relatively new to the hobby but this is the best Java miss I’ve come across.
K
I recently started looking into planted aquariums and started with a small bunch. I will definitely order again. I’m on my second tank, this time it’s for shrimp! I absolutely love this hobbie!
C
Shrimp loved the first one so I got another!
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