TankBud

Form of Cryptocoryne wendtii

Cryptocoryne wendtii red

Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Red'

One of 9 forms of Cryptocoryne wendtii · See all forms →

Also known as Crypt wendtii red, Red wendtii, Wendt's water trumpet red

FreshwaterBrackishRosetteRunnersdivision

Cryptocoryne wendtii red (Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Red')
"Cryptocoryne wendtii red" by kirsten.elise is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/. · by-sa

Forms · Cryptocoryne wendtii

See all 9 →

Care at a glance

Light
Low light
CO2
No CO₂ needed
Temperature
72–82°F
22–28°C
Max height
5.9 in
15 cm
Growth rate
Slow
Placement
Midground
Type
Rosette
pH
6.0–7.5
Hardness
3–12 dGH
Spread
5.9 in (15 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Root + water column
Growth region
Submersed or emersed
Difficulty
Beginner
Family
Araceae
Origin
A reddish selection of the Sri Lankan water trumpet, from shaded streams and river margins that flood and recede with the seasons.

Overview

Grow it as an easy low light rosette with no CO2 required, but give it a little more light if you want the color to deepen. Set the crown just above the substrate, feed the roots, and let runners fill in a patch over time. Expect some melt right after planting, which is normal for crypts adjusting to new water.

In the wild

The 'Red' form of Cryptocoryne wendtii carries reddish brown to bronze leaves that darken under stronger light. Like the rest of the wendtii group it comes from shaded Sri Lankan streams and adapts to a wide span of water conditions. In the aquarium it forms a low, spreading clump that works well as a midground accent.

Good to know

The red coloration comes from pigments the plant makes in response to light, so the same clone can look olive green in shade and bronze red under a bright fixture. Like all Cryptocoryne it flowers through a spathe and belongs to the arum family alongside anubias and lagenandra.

Did you know

Because it holds a reddish tone even in modest light, it is one of the easiest ways to add warm color to a low tech tank without CO2.

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