Plant comparison
Temple Plant vs Hygrophila Pinnatifida
How the Temple Plant and Hygrophila Pinnatifida compare on care, size, water and temperament, and which plant suits your tank.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated
TL;DR, Temple Plant vs Hygrophila Pinnatifida
The Temple Plant and the Hygrophila Pinnatifida are close cousins, both in the Hygrophila group, so at a glance they ask for a lot of the same things. Both are happy somewhere around 22 to 28 °C and pH 6 to 7.5, so a single tank can suit either one. The Temple Plant is the more forgiving of the two, which matters if this is an early tank, while the Hygrophila Pinnatifida rewards a bit more attention. In a low-tech, low-light setup the Temple Plant is the safer bet; the other really wants brighter light to look its best.
Group compatibility overview
Excellent fit
Every key parameter overlaps and no major conflicts surfaced.
Temperature
- Temple Plant22–28 °C
- Hygrophila Pinnatifida22–28 °C
pH
- Temple Plant6–8
- Hygrophila Pinnatifida6–7.5
Hardness
- Temple Plant3–20 dGH
- Hygrophila Pinnatifida2–15 dGH
Full attributes
Every parameter, side by side| Parameter |  PlantTemple PlantHygrophila corymbosa |  PlantHygrophila PinnatifidaHygrophila pinnatifida |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Plant | Plant |
| Origin | Southeast Asia | Western India (rheophyte) |
| Family | Acanthaceae | Acanthaceae |
| Temperature | 22–28 °C | 22–28 °C |
| pH | 6.0–8.0 | 6.0–7.5 |
| Hardness (dGH) | 3–20 | 2–15 |
| Flow rate | Low to Medium | Medium to High |
| Max height | 30–60 cm | 10–20 cm |
| Difficulty | 1 / 5 | 3 / 5 |
| Light | Low to High | Medium to High |
| CO₂ | None to Optional | Recommended |
| Growth rate | Fast | Medium |
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
Can you keep Temple Plant and Hygrophila Pinnatifida together?
Yes. Their temperature and pH ranges overlap around 22 to 28 °C and pH 6 to 7.5, so one set of water conditions keeps both comfortable. Match group sizes and cover the usual planted-tank basics and they share a tank fine.
Which is easier to keep, the Temple Plant or the Hygrophila Pinnatifida?
The Temple Plant is the easier of the two, closer to very easy, while the Hygrophila Pinnatifida leans middle-of-the-road.
Do Temple Plant and Hygrophila Pinnatifida need the same water?
Close to it. Aim for 22 to 28 °C and pH 6 to 7.5 and you're in the shared sweet spot for both. Full ranges are in the table above.
What's the main difference between the Temple Plant and the Hygrophila Pinnatifida?
Placement and light. The Temple Plant works as background, the Hygrophila Pinnatifida as midground, and their light needs differ, which is covered in the table.