Vallisneria Americana (Vallisneria americana) Care Guide

A large robust species of Vallisneria with wide ribbon-like leaves that can grow over a meter long in ideal conditions.

Overview

Vallisneria americana is an aquatic plant in the family Hydrocharitaceae. A large robust species of Vallisneria with wide ribbon-like leaves that can grow over a meter long in ideal conditions. Creates a dramatic jungle-like background effect and is extremely hardy, tolerating a very wide range of water parameters.

Taxonomy

Family: Hydrocharitaceae
Genus: Vallisneria
Scientific name: Vallisneria americana
Other names: Jungle Vallisneria, Giant Val

Habitat

Widely distributed across freshwater habitats of North, Central and South America, including the Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains. Grows rooted in sand or silty substrates of lakes, slow rivers and estuaries, tolerating brackish conditions.

Growth requirements

Light: medium (≈50-80 PAR at substrate)
CO2: optional (CO2 improves growth and coloration)
Temperature: 18-30 °C
pH: 6.5-8.5
GH: 4-20 °dGH
Substrate: sand or gravel
Nutrient demand: low
Growth rate: fast
Difficulty: beginner

Placement

Recommended placement: background
Maximum height: 100 cm
Trim every: 10 days

Propagation

In cultivation the plant is propagated by runners (daughter plants on horizontal stolons).