Hemigraphis repanda Green Magenta - 5" Pot

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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 Magenta

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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 is an easygoing foliage plant that likes bright, indirect light and consistently moist (but not waterlogged) soil. It thrives in warm, humid spots, so it does well in bathrooms, kitchens or grouped with other plants. Pinch back the trailing stems now and then to keep growth dense and compact, and feed lightly through the growing season.

Where to Place Hemigraphis repanda

With its narrow, textured leaves and green-to-magenta tones, this plant works beautifully as ground cover, in hanging baskets, or spilling over the edge of a shelf. It is a popular choice for terrariums and closed cases because it enjoys the extra humidity. Keep it out of harsh direct sun, which can scorch the delicate foliage and dull the colour.

Hemigraphis repanda Benefits & Uses

Hemigraphis repanda is prized as a compact, fast-spreading foliage plant that adds year-round colour and texture to indoor and shaded outdoor settings. Its low, creeping habit makes it useful for softening container edges, filling gaps in mixed planters and carpeting terrarium floors. Being small and adaptable, it suits homes, balconies and offices where space is limited.

Why buy Hemigraphis repanda online in India

GardenGo stocks Hemigraphis repanda locally and delivers fast — often within about two hours in serviced areas — so your plant arrives fresh and alive rather than stressed after days in transit. You choose the size on this page, and you can add pots, soil and tools to the same order. That means one delivery for everything your new plant needs to settle in.

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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