Hottonia Palustris

Hottonia palustris, commonly known as Water Violet, is a graceful stem plant admired for its soft, feathery foliage and delicate, airy appearance. Its finely divided bright green leaves add exceptional texture and movement to planted aquariums, making it an excellent choice for creating depth and contrast in nature-style and Dutch aquascapes.

This elegant plant grows upright and forms lush, bushy groups with regular trimming. Under medium to high lighting and nutrient-rich conditions, Hottonia palustris develops dense growth while maintaining its light, delicate appearance. Although it can be grown without CO₂, supplementation encourages faster growth, fuller foliage, and healthier plants.

Easy to propagate and rewarding to grow, Hottonia palustris is perfect for aquascapers looking to add a soft, natural touch to their aquarium.

Care Guide

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Growth Rate: Moderate

Placement: Midground to Background

Lighting: Medium to High (Brighter light promotes denser growth)

CO₂: Recommended for optimal growth and fuller foliage, but not required

Temperature: 18–26°C (64–79°F)

pH: 6.0–7.5

Water Hardness: Soft to moderately hard

Propagation: Trim healthy stems and replant the cuttings into the substrate. Regular pruning encourages branching and bushier growth.

Why You'll Love It

• Soft, feathery foliage adds beautiful texture
• Creates a light, natural appearance in planted aquariums
• Excellent for Dutch-style and nature aquascapes
• Forms dense, bushy groups with regular trimming
• Easy to propagate through stem cuttings
• Helps absorb excess nutrients and improve water quality

Tip: Plant several stems together in small groups to create a lush, cloud-like effect that contrasts beautifully with broad-leaved plants and hardscape.