Cryptocoryne undulata 'Broad Leaves' Care Guide
Cryptocoryne undulata 'Broad Leaves' is a hardy Sri Lankan crypt with broad, wavy leaves; an easy mid-background plant that spreads by runners.
Overview
Cryptocoryne undulata 'Broad Leaves' is a variant of C. undulata with broader, slightly undulated and sometimes marbled, often brownish leaves. It is a hardy rosette plant for low-tech tanks that even grows in unfertilised water under low light, though slowly. With a nutrient-rich substrate and adequate light it becomes more compact and produces numerous runners.
Taxonomy
- Family: Araceae
- Genus: Cryptocoryne
- Scientific name: Cryptocoryne undulata 'Broad Leaves'
Habitat
Cryptocoryne undulata is found in Sri Lanka (in the central highlands near Kandy) and Thailand. It is one of the easier crypts to grow in an aquarium and thrives both partially and fully submerged.
Growth requirements
- Light: low (low to high tolerated)
- CO2: not necessary, around 5-40 mg/l beneficial
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 4-14 °dGH
- Growth rate: slow to medium
- Maximum height: about 25 cm
Placement
It is used in the midground and foreground, or in groups, where its wavy leaves and reddish stems add texture.
Propagation
Propagation is by runners and rhizome division; daughter plants can be split off and replanted.