TankBud

Vallisneria spiralis

Also known as Tape grass, Eelgrass, Straight vallisneria, Italian val

FreshwaterBrackishRosetteRunners

Vallisneria spiralis (Vallisneria spiralis)
Aquarium Plants Factory · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Light
Medium light
CO2
No CO₂ needed
Temperature
59–86°F
15–30°C
Max height
19.7 in
50 cm
Growth rate
Fast
Placement
Background
Type
Rosette
pH
6.5–8.0
Hardness
4–18 dGH
Spread
5.9 in (15 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Root + water column
Growth region
Submersed
Difficulty
Beginner
Family
Hydrocharitaceae
Origin
Southern Europe, North Africa, and Asia

Overview

Vallisneria spiralis is a fast-growing background plant and one of the easiest plants in the hobby.

Did you know

Vallisneria spiralis takes its name not from its leaves but from the female flower stalk. The tightly coiled stalk carries the flower up to the surface for pollination, then corkscrews back down so the seed pod ripens underwater.

Caring for Vallisneria spiralis

Plant Vallisneria spiralis rosettes one at a time in the substrate. Keep the white crown, where the leaves meet the roots, above the substrate so it does not rot.

It grows in medium light with no CO2. It feeds from both its roots and the water column, so root tabs help in inert gravel. It handles 59 to 86°F (15 to 30°C).

It spreads quickly by runners, so expect to thin daughter plants. Cut a new plant free once it has roots and replant it. Avoid glutaraldehyde liquid carbon products such as Excel, which can melt the leaves.

Good to know

Vallisneria spiralis belongs to the family Hydrocharitaceae and is dioecious, with separate male and female plants. It grows from a basal rosette rather than a creeping rhizome. Each long ribbon leaf typically shows about five longitudinal veins. It also goes by tape grass, eelgrass and Italian val.

In the wild

Vallisneria spiralis is a true aquatic of slow rivers, ponds and ditches across southern Europe, North Africa and parts of Asia. It often grows in hard, alkaline water, fully submersed and rooted in the riverbed. It spreads along the bottom by runners into dense underwater meadows.

Common questions

Does Vallisneria spiralis need to be planted in the substrate?

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

Does Vallisneria spiralis need CO2?

No. Vallisneria spiralis grows well without added CO2.

How much light does Vallisneria spiralis need?

Vallisneria spiralis wants medium light. A light sold for planted tanks covers it.

Does Vallisneria spiralis need root tabs?

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

How do you propagate Vallisneria spiralis?

Vallisneria spiralis propagates by runners. New plants grow along its runners. Cut one free once it has roots and plant it.

How tall does Vallisneria spiralis grow?

Vallisneria spiralis grows to about 19.7 in (50 cm) tall. It grows fast, so expect to trim it often.

Related plants