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
38 low light
13 medium light
CO₂
16 no CO₂ needed
35 CO₂ beneficial
Growth
35 slow growing
16 medium growth
Difficulty
38 easy
10 medium · 3 difficult

35 plants and 16 varieties

Start with the wendtii group

Cryptocoryne wendtii is the only crypt rated beginner, and it earns it: low light, no CO₂ needed and 9.8 inches (25 cm) tall. It is 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. Beckettii is marked invasive, so never release it or put its trimmings outdoors.

Small crypts for the foreground

Cryptocoryne parva is the shortest crypt at 3.9 inches (10 cm), tied with Cryptocoryne yujii. It 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 at 5.1 inches (13 cm). Parva and the red form of albida list medium light, and willisii lists low light. Give the small ones root tabs, because they feed through the roots.

Tall crypts for the back

The crispatula group, balansae among them, sends up ribbon leaves of 19.7 inches (50 cm) and more. Cryptocoryne sivadasanii reaches 47.2 inches (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

Thwaitesii and schulzei come from soft-water streams. Thwaitesii lists a pH of 5 to 6.5 and schulzei 4.5 to 6.5, both at 0 to 6 dGH. They sulk or melt for good in hard tap water and need a tank set up around them. Striolata, keei and nurii list a pH up to 7.5 and a hardness up to 12 or 15 dGH. Only var. nurii and some striolata populations come from peat swamps or bogs. The var. raubensis and Rosen Maiden nurii sold in the trade take harder, near-neutral water. All five are collectors' plants, marked difficult or medium.

By the numbers

Smallest

  1. 01
    Cryptocoryne parva (Cryptocoryne parva)

    Cryptocoryne parva

    3.9 in (10 cm)
  2. 02

    Cryptocoryne yujii

    3.9 in (10 cm)
  3. 03
    Cryptocoryne albida Red (Cryptocoryne albida 'Red')

    Cryptocoryne albida Red

    Cryptocoryne albida 'Red'

    5.1 in (13 cm)
  4. 04

    Cryptocoryne dewitii

    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 hudoroi

    19.7 in (50 cm)

Easiest to grow

No CO₂ needed

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. Wendtii, spiralis, lucens, retrospiralis, ciliata, petchii and the brown form of albida list no need at all.

How much light do cryptocoryne need?

Low to medium. No crypt here lists high light. Most crypts here list low light, among them wendtii, walkeri, spiralis, retrospiralis and usteriana. The crispatula group, sivadasanii, ciliata, parva, striolata, nurii and the red form of albida list medium light.

Which cryptocoryne is best for beginners?

Cryptocoryne wendtii, the one rated beginner. Undulata, walkeri, lucens and beckettii are among the crypts marked easy and grow the same way. Beckettii is marked invasive, so its trimmings go in the trash, never outdoors.

How tall do crypts get?

From 3.9 inches (10 cm) for parva and yujii to 47.2 inches (120 cm) for sivadasanii. Most of the midground species stop at 5.9 to 9.8 inches (15 to 25 cm), and the balansae type runs to 19.7 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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