Cryptocoryne pontederiifolia
Cryptocoryne pontederiifolia
Also known as Cryptocoryne pontederiifolia Schott, Water trumpet, Crypt pontederiifolia
Care at a glance
- Light
- Low light
- CO2
- CO₂ beneficial
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Placement
- Midground
- Type
- Rosette
- Temperature
- 72–82°F (22–28°C)
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Hardness
- 3–15 dGH
- Max height
- 7.9 in (20 cm)
- Spread
- 5.9 in (15 cm)
- Nutrient uptake
- Root + water column
- Growth region
- Submersed or emersed
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Origin
- West Sumatra, Indonesia
- Family
- Araceae
Overview
One of the easier crypts, tolerant of soft to hard water and slightly acidic to neutral pH. Give it a nutrient-rich substrate and root tabs, plant it and leave it alone while it settles. Low light produces taller, greener leaves, while brighter light keeps it compact and can bring out a reddish tint on the leaf undersides. It spreads slowly by runners into a dense clump. CO2 is not needed but speeds establishment.
In the wild
A bog plant known only from the northernmost part of the west coast of Sumatra, where it grows in the freshwater tidal zone alongside the nipa palm (Nypa fruticans). It has been introduced to Singapore, where it colonizes swampy ground along forest rivers. In the wild it lives emersed and submersed depending on the water level.
Good to know
Described by Heinrich Wilhelm Schott and named for its resemblance to Pontederia (pickerelweed). It belongs to the group of tidal-zone crypts and is one of the more brackish-tolerant species in its native range. Unlike most of the genus, it is notably resistant to crypt melt in cultivation.
Did you know
It shares its natural habitat with the nipa palm in the tidal freshwater zone, so it copes with occasional brackish influence better than most Cryptocoryne, which is part of why it rarely melts when moved between tanks.
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
- Glass Aqua Aquascaping plants and planted tank supplies
- Buce Plant Aquatic plants and aquascaping supplies
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
Low-light plants · Midground plants · Cryptocoryne · Beginner plants
Growing Cryptocoryne pontederiifolia?
Track your planted tank, set reminders and plan your layout.
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