TankBud

Cryptocoryne

Cryptocoryne, or crypts, are hardy rosette plants that grow from a root crown in low to medium light, which makes them a mainstay of easy planted tanks. They often melt back after planting or a big change, dropping their leaves, then regrow from the roots, so patience beats pulling them. Each profile lists light, size and placement.

At a glance

Height
3.9–47.2 in
3.9 in (10 cm) to 47.2 in (120 cm); half the list stays at 7.9 in (20 cm) or under
Temperature
72–82°F
22–28°C, most of the list
Light
30 low light
19 medium light
CO₂
15 no CO₂ needed
34 CO₂ beneficial
Growth
37 slow growing
12 medium growth
Difficulty
35 easy
11 medium · 3 difficult

36 plants and 13 varieties

Start with the wendtii group

Cryptocoryne wendtii is the only crypt rated beginner, and it earns it: low light, no CO₂ needed, about 10 inches (25 cm) tall and sold in green, brown and red forms. Beckettii, undulata, the walkeri forms and lucens are the same kind of plant, easy and slow, and they fill a midground in a low-tech tank without any of the fuss stem plants bring. Plant the crown at the surface of the substrate, not under it, and leave them alone.

Small crypts for the foreground

Cryptocoryne parva is the smallest at about 4 inches (10 cm) and grows slowly even by crypt standards, so it takes patience to become a carpet. Cryptocoryne × willisii is a little taller and rated easy, and the red form of albida stays around 5 inches (13 cm). Give the small ones the medium light their profiles list and root tabs, because they feed through the roots.

Tall crypts for the back

The crispatula group, balansae and tonkinensis among them, sends up ribbon leaves of 20 inches (50 cm) and more, and Cryptocoryne sivadasanii reaches 4 feet (120 cm). Spiralis, retrospiralis and usteriana are easy, low light background crypts that suit a tank without CO₂, and usteriana in particular tolerates hard water. They look best in a clump of three or more where the leaves can sway.

Crypt melt

Move a crypt, change its water or its light, and the leaves may turn to mush within a week. This is melt, and it is the plant shedding leaves grown for one set of conditions to grow new ones for the next. The roots and crown survive. Trim the dead leaves, leave the plant where it is, and expect new growth within a few weeks. Pulling a melted crypt out to check on it is the mistake that actually kills it.

The blackwater specialists

A few crypts come from peat swamps with very soft, acidic water, and the profiles show it: thwaitesii lists a pH of 5 to 6.5, schulzei 4.5 to 6.5, and striolata, keei and nurii sit in the same soft, warm water. These are the rows rated difficult or medium, and they sulk or melt for good in hard tap water. They are collectors' plants for a tank set up around them.

By the numbers

Smallest

  1. 01

    Cryptocoryne parva

    3.9 in (10 cm)
  2. 02

    Cryptocoryne yujii

    3.9 in (10 cm)
  3. 03

    Cryptocoryne albida Red

    Cryptocoryne albida 'Red'

    5.1 in (13 cm)
  4. 04

    Cryptocoryne keei

    5.9 in (15 cm)

Tallest

  1. 01

    Cryptocoryne sivadasanii

    47.2 in (120 cm)
  2. 02
    Cryptocoryne ciliata (Cryptocoryne ciliata)

    Cryptocoryne ciliata

    23.6 in (60 cm)
  3. 03
    Cryptocoryne crispatula (Cryptocoryne crispatula)

    Cryptocoryne crispatula

    23.6 in (60 cm)
  4. 04
    Cryptocoryne balansae (Cryptocoryne crispatula var. balansae)

    Cryptocoryne balansae

    Cryptocoryne crispatula var. balansae

    19.7 in (50 cm)

Easiest to grow

No CO₂ needed

Low light

FAQ

Common questions

Why is my cryptocoryne melting?

A change in water, light or position makes a crypt drop its leaves and regrow them for the new conditions. Cut off the mush, leave the roots in place, and new leaves usually appear within a few weeks.

Do crypts need CO₂?

No crypt in the catalog lists CO₂ as required. Most grow faster and fuller with it, which is what beneficial means on the profile, and wendtii, spiralis, lucens, retrospiralis and ciliata list no need at all.

How much light do cryptocoryne need?

Low to medium. None of the rows here asks for high light, and the wendtii group, walkeri and the tall background species are all low-light plants.

Which cryptocoryne is best for beginners?

Cryptocoryne wendtii, the one rated beginner. Beckettii, undulata, walkeri and lucens are the next easiest and grow the same way.

How tall do crypts get?

From 4 inches (10 cm) for parva and yujii to 4 feet (120 cm) for sivadasanii. Most of the midground species stop between 6 and 10 inches (15 and 25 cm), and the balansae type runs to 20 inches (50 cm).

Do crypts need root tabs?

They feed mainly through the roots, so a nutrient-rich substrate or a root tab every few months makes a visible difference, especially in a tank with inert sand or gravel.

Index

All cryptocoryne

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