Hottonia palustris (Water Violet)

05 October 2026

102

Hottonia palustris is a delicate European stem plant with finely divided, feather-like leaves arranged along upright shoots. It is sold by Tropica as a 1-2-GROW! InVitro plant and is suitable for the background or middle of a planted aquarium. The supplied label supports the identification, although aquarium-grown specimens can vary in leaf form during transition from emersed to submerged growth.

Identification

Hottonia palustris is an amphibious aquatic plant in the family Primulaceae. Submerged growth has narrow, deeply divided leaves that form soft, feathery whorls around the stem. The plant is generally bright to medium green. Identification here is based primarily on the supplied product label; the appearance of young or emersed-grown material may be less distinctive.

Planting tissue-culture material

Remove the plant from its cup, wash away the culture gel thoroughly, and divide the mass into several small portions. Plant each portion separately in the substrate, keeping the stems upright and avoiding burial of the foliage. Leave enough space between portions for water movement and expansion.

Aquarium cultivation

Provide moderate light, a nutrient-bearing substrate or regular water-column fertilisation, and stable aquarium conditions. Carbon dioxide is not essential for survival, but supplementation generally supports faster, denser growth. Good circulation helps keep the finely divided leaves free of settled debris.

Pruning and propagation

Trim the upper portions when shoots become too tall or shade lower growth. Replant healthy cuttings in the substrate to create additional stems. Regular trimming encourages a fuller group, while removing deteriorating or shaded stems reduces debris in the plant mass.

Placement

Use Hottonia palustris as a background or tall middle-ground accent in medium and larger aquariums. Its finely divided foliage contrasts well with broad-leaved plants and can provide cover for small fish and invertebrates. Allow room for the stems to spread without blocking all light from shorter plants.

Plant info

Colors: Green, Light green
Difficulty: Easy
Origin: Europe/Asia
Usage: Background
Type: Stem plant
Growth rate: Fast
Height: 10-30 cm
Light demand: Medium
CO2: Medium

Related on Plants

Hottonia palustris (Water Violet)

Leave your comments

Latest on Plants

Hygrophila lancea 'Araguaia'

Medium

Middleground

Hygrophila lancea 'Araguaia' is a narrow-leaved stem plant valued for its green to reddish-brown foliage and upright, branching growth. It is commonly sold under this name, although the identity and relationship of the aquarium form to formally described Hygrophila lancea should be treated cautiously. With strong light, adequate nutrients and carbon dioxide, it develops deeper coloration and compact growth. Regular trimming encourages side shoots and helps maintain a dense group in the middle or rear of an aquarium.
Hygrophila difformis (Water Wisteria)

Easy

Background

Hygrophila difformis is a fast-growing stem plant with distinctive deeply divided submerged leaves. It is commonly sold as water wisteria and is suitable for beginners when provided with adequate light and nutrients. Young tissue-culture plants may initially have emersed-form leaves, which can change substantially after submersion. Regular trimming helps maintain a compact group and encourages branching.
Hygrophila lancea 'Araguaia' (Araguaia Hygrophila)

Medium

Middleground

Hygrophila lancea 'Araguaia' is a compact, narrow-leaved stem plant valued for its red to pink coloration and branching growth. It is commonly sold under the aquarium trade name “Araguaia,” but the exact origin and taxonomic status of this cultivated form are not fully certain from the supplied material. With strong light, a nutrient-rich substrate, and reliable carbon availability, it can form a dense midground group. Regular trimming encourages bushier growth and provides cuttings for propagation.
Cryptocoryne nurii (Heart-leaf Water Trumpet)

Medium

Foreground

Cryptocoryne nurii is a small, slow-growing rosette plant from Asia, valued for its textured, often wavy leaves and tolerance of subdued aquarium lighting. The supplied label supports identification as C. nurii, although the exact cultivated form cannot be confirmed from the available material. It is best planted in the foreground or middle of a mature aquarium and should be disturbed as little as possible after planting.
Helanthium tenellum 'Green' (Green Dwarf Chain Sword)

Easy

Foreground

Helanthium tenellum 'Green' is a small, grass-like rosette plant used mainly in the foreground of freshwater aquariums. It spreads through slender runners and can form a low, connected carpet when planted in suitable substrate. The supplied source identifies it as the green cultivar, although cultivation conditions can make its leaf width and height variable. It is generally adaptable, but stronger light, adequate nutrients and added carbon support denser growth.
Najas guadalupensis 'Guppy Grass' (Guppy Grass)

Easy

Supporting plants

Guppy Grass is a fast-growing, delicate submerged stem plant identified here as Najas guadalupensis 'Guppy Grass'. It produces narrow, flexible green leaves along branching stems and forms dense cover for small fish and fry. It is generally undemanding, grows floating or planted, and can quickly fill open water. The exact horticultural distinction of the quoted form cannot be confirmed from the supplied material alone.
Helanthium bolivianum 'Quadricostatus' (Dwarf Chain Sword)

Easy

Foreground

Helanthium bolivianum 'Quadricostatus' is a small rosette plant used mainly in the foreground of planted aquariums. It produces narrow, bright-green leaves and can spread by runners to form a low carpet or grouped ground cover. The supplied source identifies it as this cultivar; aquarium plants sold under similar chain-sword names can be difficult to distinguish without a verified specimen, so the identification is treated as probable rather than definitive.
Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Green' (Green wendtii water trumpet)

Easy

Middleground

Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Green' is a cultivated green form of the adaptable wendtii water trumpet. It develops a compact rosette of narrow to moderately broad, gently textured leaves and is suitable for many freshwater community aquariums. It grows from a rooted crown and generally performs best when left undisturbed in a nutrient-containing substrate. The identification follows the supplied label; cultivar boundaries within commercially sold Cryptocoryne wendtii forms can be difficult to verify from photographs alone.
Utricularia graminifolia (Grassy water hose)

Advanced

Foreground

Utricularia graminifolia is a small aquatic bladderwort valued for its fine, grass-like foliage and low carpet-forming habit. It is a carnivorous plant with minute bladder traps, but these do not pose a practical risk to aquarium fish or shrimp. This species is best suited to established, stable aquariums where strong light, carbon dioxide and consistent nutrition support dense growth.
Eleocharis acicularis (Dwarf Hairgrass)

Medium

Foreground

Eleocharis acicularis is a fine-leaved sedge used as a foreground carpeting plant in freshwater aquariums. It spreads through slender runners and can form a low, grass-like cover when given suitable light, nutrients, and stable conditions. The supplied 1 2 GROW! material is labelled E. acicularis; confirmation of the exact commercial form from photographs alone is limited.
Glossostigma elatinoides (Baby Tears)

Advanced

Foreground

Glossostigma elatinoides is a small, fast-growing aquatic plant from Australia and New Zealand that is widely used to create a low foreground carpet. Its delicate, opposite leaves spread along the substrate when supplied with strong light, carbon dioxide, nutrients, and suitable planting conditions. It is best suited to established aquariums because insufficient light or unstable carbon availability can lead to sparse growth and upward-reaching stems.
Taxiphyllum sp. 'Flame' (Flame moss)

Easy

On rock or root

Flame moss is a distinctive aquatic moss sold under the trade name Taxiphyllum sp. 'Flame'. Its narrow, upright shoots twist and curl as they grow, creating a flame-like texture rather than a flat carpet. The exact species identity and geographic origin are not reliably established from the supplied material, so this article treats it as a cultivated Taxiphyllum form with conservative care guidance.
Elatine hydropiper (Water Pepper)

Advanced

Foreground

Elatine hydropiper is a very small, low-growing aquatic plant used to form a dense foreground carpet. The supplied label identifies the plant as E. hydropiper, and the appearance is consistent with that use, although a definitive identification would require botanical examination. It is best suited to established aquariums with strong light, nutrient-rich substrate, stable conditions, and reliable carbon dioxide supplementation.
Echinodorus 'Reni'

Easy

Middleground

Echinodorus 'Reni' is a distinctive aquarium cultivar known for its compact growth habit and striking coloration. Its leaves transition through shades of reddish-brown to dark green, making it an excellent centerpiece plant for smaller aquariums. This rosette plant is relatively undemanding and adapts well to various water conditions, provided it receives sufficient nutrients through the substrate.
Hemianthus callitrichoides (Dwarf Pearlwort)

Advanced

Foreground

Hemianthus callitrichoides is widely recognized as one of the smallest aquarium plants available, making it a staple for creating lush, low-growing carpets in aquascapes. Native to Cuba, this delicate plant features tiny, rounded leaves that spread across the substrate. It requires significant attention to light and nutrients to thrive and maintain its characteristic dense, ground-hugging growth habit.
Marsilea hirsuta (Dwarf Cloverleaf)

Easy

Foreground

Marsilea hirsuta is a popular aquatic fern often utilized as a foreground carpet plant in aquascaping. It is characterized by its clover-like leaves, which can vary in appearance depending on whether the plant is grown submersed or emersed. This hardy species is well-regarded for its adaptability, making it a suitable choice for both beginners and experienced aquarists looking for a lush, green carpet.