Aponogeton undulatus

Also known as Wavy-leaf aponogeton, Undulate aponogeton, Ruffled aponogeton

FreshwaterBulb / tuberbulbPlantlets

Aponogeton undulatus (Aponogeton undulatus) — Flickr-User vincent.limshowchen (Vincent Lim Show Chen) · CC BY-SA 2.0

Care at a glance

Light: Medium light
CO2: CO₂ beneficial
Temperature: 72–82°F; 22–28°C
Max height: 21.7 in; 55 cm

Growth rate: Fast
Placement: Background
Type: Bulb / tuber
pH: 6.0–7.5
Hardness: 2–12 dGH
Spread: 9.8 in (25 cm)
Nutrient uptake: Root feeder
Growth region: Submersed
Difficulty: Easy
Family: Aponogetonaceae
Origin: Native to still and slow-moving waters, including rice paddies and shallow streams, in eastern India and Bangladesh.

Overview

Plant the tuber with its top just above the substrate and give it medium light for steady, fast growth. CO2 is not required but a rich substrate or root tabs help it thrive. Use it in the background and remove old outer leaves as they fade to keep the rosette tidy.

In the wild

Aponogeton undulatus grows from a small tuber into a rosette of translucent green leaves with strongly wavy edges. It is found in shallow, still and slow-moving waters, including rice paddies. Established bulbs send up many long leaves that sway in the current.

Good to know

Aponogeton undulatus is a member of the family Aponogetonaceae, a small group of tuberous aquatic plants from the Old World tropics. It often produces plantlets directly on its flower stalk, a form of vegetative reproduction. The genus is known for its fenestrated and wavy-leaved species.