Aponogeton crispus

Care at a glance

Overview

A fast, undemanding background or specimen plant for medium to large tanks. Set the tuber on or just into a nutrient-rich substrate with the growing tip exposed so it does not rot, and feed it with root tabs since it draws most of its nutrition through the roots. It can throw a flower spike to the surface and may go dormant and drop its leaves, which is normal; leave the tuber in place and it usually resprouts in a few weeks. CO2 is not required but pushes faster, fuller growth.

In the wild

Native to Sri Lanka and parts of southern India, where it grows submersed in streams, ponds, and seasonal pools. Many of these waters dry down for part of the year, which is why the plant grows from a storage tuber and can rest through a dry season. It is a true tropical, soft-water rosette plant.

Good to know

A member of Aponogetonaceae growing from a rounded tuber (bulb). The species is highly variable, and several aquarium strains and hybrids (including a Tropica cross with A. rigidifolius) trade under the same name. Leaves are long, translucent, and strongly crinkled along the margins, ranging from green to bronze-red depending on light.

Did you know

Did you know it is one of the few aquarium plants that will actually flower under water, sending a slender stalk to the surface where a small white-to-pinkish spike opens above the waterline.

Related plants

• 

  Aponogeton ulvaceus

  Aponogeton ulvaceus

  Medium lightBackground19.7 in (50 cm)
• Aponogeton boivinianus

  Aponogeton boivinianus

  Medium lightBackground19.7 in (50 cm)

• 

  Aponogeton undulatus

  Aponogeton undulatus

  Medium lightBackground21.7 in (55 cm)

• 

  Aponogeton rigidifolius

  Aponogeton rigidifolius

  Medium lightBackground23.6 in (60 cm)

• 

  Madagascar lace

  Aponogeton madagascariensis

  Medium lightBackground23.6 in (60 cm)
• Aponogeton longiplumulosus

  Aponogeton longiplumulosus

  Medium lightBackground23.6 in (60 cm)