TankBud

Cryptocoryne undulata Broad Leaves

Cryptocoryne undulata 'Broad Leaves'

Also known as Cryptocoryne undulatus 'Broad Leaf', Cryptocoryne undulatus 'Red', Cryptocoryne undulata 'Red'

FreshwaterRosetteRunnersRhizome division

Cryptocoryne undulata Broad Leaves (Cryptocoryne undulata 'Broad Leaves')
Aquarium Plants Factory · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Light
Low light
CO2
CO₂ beneficial
Temperature
72–82°F
22–28°C
Max height
11.8 in
30 cm
Growth rate
Medium
Placement
Midground
Type
Rosette
pH
6.0–7.5
Hardness
2–12 dGH
Spread
7.9 in (20 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Root feeder
Growth region
Submersed or emersed
Difficulty
Easy
Family
Araceae
Origin
Central Sri Lanka

Overview

Cryptocoryne undulata Broad Leaves is one of the forgiving Sri Lankan crypts, in the same easy company as wendtii and beckettii. It is a rosette plant for the midground.

Did you know

The Broad Leaves and Red labels on shop shelves are the same Tropica plant under two catalog numbers. The pot ships as Broad Leaves under 110A. The tissue culture cup, long printed Cryptocoryne undulatus 'Red', is 110B and now carries the Broad Leaf name on Tropica's own page.

Caring for Cryptocoryne undulata Broad Leaves

Plant Cryptocoryne undulata Broad Leaves in a nutrient-rich substrate, with the crown just above the surface. Then let it settle. Like all crypts it can melt after planting or after a sharp change in water parameters, and it recovers from the roots.

Low light is enough, and it grows without added CO2. Its look shifts with conditions, and dim, lean tanks give taller plants in a greener brown. Strong light with CO2 gives shorter, more compact, reddish brown growth. It is a root feeder, so add root tabs if the substrate is not already rich. Keep the water at 72 to 82°F (22 to 28°C).

It grows at a moderate pace and spreads by runners. Cut a runner plant free once it has roots, or split an old clump at the rhizome.

Good to know

Cryptocoryne undulata Broad Leaves is a water trumpet in the family Araceae. The trade form is a triploid line of Cryptocoryne undulata, and the extra chromosome set makes it larger and broader leaved than the diploid species. It grows 15 to 30 cm tall, with a flecked brownish pattern over green.

In the wild

Cryptocoryne undulata Broad Leaves is a nursery line rather than a distinct wild population. Its species comes from central Sri Lanka, where it grows in and along streams, submersed in the flow and emersed on the banks.

Common questions

Does Cryptocoryne undulata Broad Leaves need to be planted in the substrate?

Yes. Bury the roots and leave the crown, where the leaves join, just above the substrate.

Does Cryptocoryne undulata Broad Leaves need CO2?

No, but it helps. Cryptocoryne undulata Broad Leaves can grow without injected CO2, and added CO2 makes it grow faster.

How much light does Cryptocoryne undulata Broad Leaves need?

Cryptocoryne undulata Broad Leaves is a low-light plant, and the light that comes with a standard tank kit is enough for it.

Does Cryptocoryne undulata Broad Leaves need root tabs?

Yes. Cryptocoryne undulata Broad Leaves draws much of its food through its roots. Push root tabs in near it, or grow it in a nutrient-rich soil.

How do you propagate Cryptocoryne undulata Broad Leaves?

Cryptocoryne undulata Broad Leaves propagates by runners and rhizome division. New plants grow along its runners. Cut one free once it has roots and plant it. Cut the rhizome into pieces with several leaves each, then tie or plant each piece.

How tall does Cryptocoryne undulata Broad Leaves grow?

Cryptocoryne undulata Broad Leaves grows to about 11.8 in (30 cm) tall. It grows at a moderate pace.

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