We investigate the dynamics of quantum entanglement after a global quench and uncover a qualitative difference between the behavior of the von Neumann entropy and higher Renyi entropies. We argue that the latter generically grow emph{sub-ballistically}, as $proptosqrt{t}$, in systems with diffusive transport. We provide strong evidence for this in both a U$(1)$ symmetric random circuit model and in a paradigmatic non-integrable spin chain, where energy is the sole conserved quantity. We interpret our results as a consequence of local quantum fluctuations in conserved densities, whose behavior is controlled by diffusion, and use the random circuit model to derive an effective description. We also discuss the late-time behavior of the second Renyi entropy and show that it exhibits hydrodynamic tails with emph{three distinct power laws} occurring for different classes of initial states.
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