TankBud

Lagenandra ovata

Also known as Arum ovatum, Cryptocoryne ovata, Malayan sword, Lagenandra insignis

FreshwaterRhizomeRhizome divisionSide shoots

Lagenandra ovata (Lagenandra ovata)
Aquarium Plants Factory · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Light
Medium light
CO2
CO₂ beneficial
Temperature
72–82°F
22–28°C
Max height
31.5 in
80 cm
Growth rate
Slow
Placement
Background
Type
Rhizome
pH
6.0–7.5
Hardness
0–18 dGH
Spread
15.7 in (40 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Root + water column
Growth region
Submersed or emersed
Difficulty
Medium
Family
Araceae
Origin
Sri Lanka and southern India

Overview

Lagenandra ovata is a large rhizome plant, best used as a background specimen in bigger tanks. It rates medium in difficulty and can also be grown emersed in a paludarium.

Did you know

Lagenandra ovata was long overlooked in the hobby as a plain green plant. It was shuffled between genera and even lumped with Cryptocoryne. Its true garden potential as a hardy semi-aquatic aroid has only been appreciated recently.

Caring for Lagenandra ovata

Push the roots of Lagenandra ovata into a nutrient-rich, fine substrate and keep the rhizome at the surface. Keep the water stable at 72 to 82°F (22 to 28°C).

Medium light suits it, and strong light tends to invite algae onto the slow leaves. CO2 is optional but speeds its otherwise leisurely growth. It feeds through both roots and leaves, so root tabs and a liquid fertilizer both help.

Divide the rhizome or cut off rooted side shoots to propagate it. Give the plant and its divisions time to settle rather than moving them around.

Good to know

Lagenandra ovata is one of the type species of the genus Lagenandra in the aroid family Araceae, and it is endemic to the Indian subcontinent. It is a creeping rhizome plant rather than a true rosette. The genus name refers to the flask-shaped spathe of its inflorescence. Like other aroids, it flowers with a spathe enclosing a spadix.

In the wild

Lagenandra ovata is a robust aroid from the wetlands, marshes and riverbanks of Sri Lanka and southern India. It grows semi-emersed there in soft, slightly acidic water. In its emersed marsh form it can reach around 90 cm tall, but it stays considerably shorter when kept fully submersed. Large lance-shaped to ovate leaves rise on long petioles.

Common questions

Does Lagenandra ovata need to be planted in the substrate?

Yes. Push the roots into the substrate and keep the rhizome at the surface or just under it, with the growing tip uncovered.

Does Lagenandra ovata need CO2?

No, but it helps. Lagenandra ovata can grow without injected CO2, and added CO2 makes it grow faster.

How much light does Lagenandra ovata need?

Lagenandra ovata wants medium light. A light sold for planted tanks covers it.

Does Lagenandra ovata need root tabs?

They help. Lagenandra ovata takes nutrients through both its roots and its leaves. Root tabs near its roots and a liquid fertilizer cover both.

How do you propagate Lagenandra ovata?

Lagenandra ovata propagates by rhizome division and side shoots. Cut the rhizome into pieces with several leaves each, then tie or plant each piece. Cut a side shoot off once it has a few leaves and plant it on its own.

How tall does Lagenandra ovata grow?

Lagenandra ovata grows to about 31.5 in (80 cm) tall. It grows slowly and rarely needs trimming.

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