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Form of Cryptocoryne wendtii

Cryptocoryne wendtii Green Gecko

Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Green Gecko'

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

Also known as Cryptocoryne Green Gecko, Cryptocoryne Gecko, Cryptocoryne wendtii Gecko

FreshwaterBrackishRosetteRunnersRhizome division

Cryptocoryne wendtii Green Gecko (Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Green Gecko')
Aquarium Plants Factory · Used with permission

Forms · Cryptocoryne wendtii

See all 9 →

Care at a glance

Light
Low light
CO2
No CO₂ needed
Temperature
68–82°F
20–28°C
Max height
5.9 in
15 cm
Growth rate
Medium
Placement
Midground
Type
Rosette
pH
6.0–8.0
Hardness
1–18 dGH
Spread
5.9 in (15 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Root feeder
Growth region
Submersed or emersed
Difficulty
Easy
Family
Araceae
Origin
Cultivar of Cryptocoryne wendtii, native to Sri Lanka

Overview

Cryptocoryne wendtii Green Gecko is an easy midground crypt that takes the same care as any wendtii.

Did you know

Crypts are notorious for changing their look from tank to tank. The dark red-brown blotch at the base of the midrib still marks Cryptocoryne wendtii Green Gecko out from plain wendtii Green on the same shelf.

Caring for Cryptocoryne wendtii Green Gecko

Plant the rosette with the crown above the substrate, then leave it alone. It feeds through its roots, so use root tabs or a nutrient-rich soil. It tolerates hard water well, from pH 6 to 8 and 1 to 18 dGH.

Cryptocoryne wendtii Green Gecko grows in low light without CO2. Brighter light keeps it more compact and strengthens the color zones on its leaves. It handles 68 to 82°F (20 to 28°C).

Growth is moderate, and new plants come along its runners. Let them spread, or split off daughter plants and divide the rhizome. Expect crypt melt in the weeks after planting. The roots are fine, and it regrows its submersed leaves.

Good to know

Cryptocoryne wendtii Green Gecko is a cultivar of Cryptocoryne wendtii, a water trumpet in the family Araceae. It sits closest to wendtii 'Green', with light green, wavy-edged leaves. Crypt cultivar names track leaf color and shape rather than taxonomy, and botanically this is still plain Cryptocoryne wendtii.

In the wild

Cryptocoryne wendtii Green Gecko arose in cultivation and is not a wild plant. Its parent grows along shaded stream banks in Sri Lanka, submersed when the water is up and emersed the rest of the year. Those streams range from soft forest water to harder limestone water. Like all wendtii forms, it is farmed commercially, usually emersed.

Common questions

Is Cryptocoryne wendtii Green Gecko a different species from Cryptocoryne wendtii?

No. Cryptocoryne wendtii Green Gecko is a form of Cryptocoryne wendtii. It reaches about 5.9 in (15 cm), against 9.8 in (25 cm) for the species. It also differs in difficulty, hardness, growth rate, pH, spread and temperature.

Does Cryptocoryne wendtii Green Gecko 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 wendtii Green Gecko need CO2?

No. Cryptocoryne wendtii Green Gecko grows well without added CO2 and suits a low-tech tank.

How much light does Cryptocoryne wendtii Green Gecko need?

Cryptocoryne wendtii Green Gecko is a low-light plant, and the light that comes with a standard tank kit is enough for it.

Does Cryptocoryne wendtii Green Gecko need root tabs?

Yes. Cryptocoryne wendtii Green Gecko 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 wendtii Green Gecko?

Cryptocoryne wendtii Green Gecko 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 wendtii Green Gecko grow?

Cryptocoryne wendtii Green Gecko grows to about 5.9 in (15 cm) tall. It grows at a moderate pace.

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