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A few leaves or flowers may drop during transit. This is completely normal — plants settle and bounce back within a few days of basic care.

Hemigraphis repanda Green

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₹239

₹239 - ₹239

₹239

₹199

₹199 - ₹199

₹199

(MRP Inclusive of all taxes)

Quantity

Why it’s special?

Striking olive-green leaves with metallic purple-red undersides
Fast, easy-growing groundcover and trailer
Thrives in shade to bright indirect light
Popular in planted aquariums and terrariums
Roots effortlessly from cuttings

Flat ₹79 delivery on every order

🌎 Country of origin: India

Hemigraphis repanda, popularly called Dragon's Tongue or Red Ivy, is a creeping evergreen foliage plant of the Acanthaceae family, native to tropical Southeast Asia. It forms a dense, spreading mat of slim, toothed leaves that are olive-green on top with striking metallic purple-to-burgundy undersides, intensifying in bright light.

In India's warm, humid conditions it thrives as a fast groundcover, edging plant, hanging-basket trailer and indoor pot plant. It is equally popular among aquarists, who grow it submerged or emersed in planted aquariums and terrariums.

Easy to grow and quick to root from cuttings, it tolerates shade to part sun and rewards regular moisture with rich, colourful foliage. Occasional small lavender-blue tubular flowers appear in warm weather.

Specifications

Family	Acanthaceae
Native region	Tropical Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Indonesia)
Mature height	10-20 cm
Mature spread	30-60 cm (spreading)
Growth rate	Fast
Foliage	Evergreen; narrow, serrated leaves, olive-green above with metallic purple-red undersides
Flower colour	Pale lavender to white (small, tubular)
Flower season	Warm/monsoon months
Climate zone	Tropical to subtropical; warm humid

Care guide

Sunlight	Bright indirect light to part shade; some morning sun deepens colour, harsh afternoon sun scorches leaves.
Watering	Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; water when the top 1-2 cm feels dry. Loves humidity.
Soil / mix	Rich, well-draining loamy potting mix with organic matter; pH slightly acidic to neutral.
Temperature	Ideal 20-32 C; protect from cold below 12 C and frost.
Humidity	High humidity preferred (60%+); ideal for bathrooms, terrariums and aquariums.
Fertilizer	Balanced liquid feed diluted, every 3-4 weeks in the growing season (Mar-Oct).
Pruning	Pinch tips regularly to keep bushy and control spread; remove leggy or faded stems.
Repotting	Repot or divide every 1-2 years in spring once roots fill the pot.
Propagation	Very easy from stem cuttings in water or moist soil; nodes root quickly. Also by division.
Pests & problems	Watch for aphids, mealybugs, whitefly and spider mites in dry conditions; treat with neem oil.
Toxicity / safety	Generally considered non-toxic to pets and humans; not known to be poisonous.
Difficulty	Easy

Uses

Fast-spreading groundcover and border edging in shaded garden beds
Trailing accent for hanging baskets, balcony pots and indoor planters
Foreground/carpet plant in planted aquariums, terrariums and paludariums
Adds rich purple-red foliage contrast among green plants

Growing tips

Plant or divide at the start of the monsoon (Jun-Jul) for fastest establishment.
In hot, dry North Indian summers, shift pots to bright shade and mist regularly to maintain humidity.
Brighter (filtered) light intensifies the purple leaf colour; deep shade turns leaves greener.
Pinch growing tips often for a dense mat; trim runners to stop it overtaking neighbours.
Protect from winter cold in North India; bring indoors below 12 C.

Hemigraphis repanda Care

Hemigraphis repanda thrives in bright, indirect light and enjoys warm, humid conditions that suit most Indian homes. Keep the soil lightly moist but never waterlogged, and mist occasionally to help the foliage stay lush and full. Feed with a balanced liquid fertiliser once a month through the growing season, and pinch back stems to encourage a bushier, spreading habit.

Where to Place Hemigraphis repanda

This low, spreading foliage plant looks its best in hanging baskets, on windowsills or trailing over the edge of a shelf where its textured green leaves can cascade. It also works well as a living ground cover in mixed pots and terrariums, softening the base of taller plants. Give it a spot with filtered light near a bright window, away from harsh afternoon sun that can scorch the leaves.

Hemigraphis repanda Benefits & Uses

Hemigraphis repanda is a hardy, fast-growing groundcover valued for its narrow, crinkled green foliage that adds year-round texture indoors and on shaded balconies. It is a popular choice for terrariums and aquascaping foregrounds because it tolerates high humidity and even semi-submerged conditions. As a compact, easy-care plant, it brings greenery to small spaces without demanding much attention.

Why buy Hemigraphis repanda online in India

Buying Hemigraphis repanda from GardenGo means it is sourced locally and delivered fast — often within about two hours in serviced areas — so it arrives alive and healthy rather than stressed from days in transit. You can pick the pot size that suits your space right here on the page, and add soil, pots and tools to the same order. It is a simple way to get a well-rooted, ready-to-grow plant delivered to your door.

Frequently asked questions

Can Hemigraphis repanda be grown in an aquarium?

Yes. Dragon's Tongue is widely used in planted aquariums and terrariums, growing both submerged and emersed. It does best with good light and prefers an emersed setup with high humidity.

Why are my plant's leaves turning more green than purple?

The purple-red colour intensifies in bright, filtered light. In deep shade the leaves stay greener. Move it to a brighter spot (avoiding harsh afternoon sun) to restore the colour.

How do I propagate Hemigraphis repanda?

It is very easy: snip a healthy stem cutting with a few nodes and root it in water or moist soil. Roots form within days to a couple of weeks, especially in warm, humid weather.

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