Green Cryptocoryne Wendtii -Med

Cryptocoryne wendtii — Green variety

Appearance & Growth

Bring fresh green color and softly textured foliage to your aquascape with Green Cryptocoryne Wendtii. Its gently rippled leaves grow in a rooted rosette, creating a natural leafy accent beside rocks and driftwood. Once settled, the plant forms a fuller clump where shrimp can graze and small fish can find shelter.

Size & Placement

Best suited to the midground of most aquariums or as a larger foreground accent in spacious layouts. Leaf height, shape, and shade of green vary with lighting and growing conditions. Leave room around the crown for the clump to expand and produce daughter plants.

Compatible Tankmates

• Small, peaceful community fish such as tetras, rasboras, and corydoras
• Dwarf shrimp, which graze biofilm from the leaves
• Plant-safe snails such as nerites
• Avoid: vigorous diggers and determined plant-eating fish that may uproot the plant or damage its foliage

Planted-Tank Role

Green Cryptocoryne Wendtii adds broad-leaved texture and a natural transition between foreground plants and taller backgrounds. Plant it beside hardscape or in small groups to contrast with fine-leaved stems and grassy foliage. Established growth contributes to nutrient uptake, but does not replace filtration or routine water changes.

Lighting & Nutrition

• Lighting: low to moderate aquarium lighting is suitable. Leaf form and color vary with conditions.
• Photoperiod: start with 6–8 hours daily and adjust to plant response and algae growth.
• Root nutrition: provide a nutrient-rich substrate or aquarium root tabs according to their label when growing in plain sand or gravel.
• Fertilizer: a complete aquarium plant fertilizer can supplement nutrients available in the water.
• CO2: injection is not essential in many setups, though balanced supplementation can support growth.

Water Conditions

• Adaptable to a range of stable tropical freshwater conditions.
• Avoid abrupt changes in temperature, water chemistry, or lighting.
• Provide gentle circulation and remove debris that collects around the base.
• Allow time for the root system to establish; frequent moving can interrupt recovery and growth.

Planting Guidance

• Remove any pot and packing wool carefully. If supplied as tissue culture, rinse away the growing gel.
• Separate individual rosettes gently where practical, preserving healthy roots.
• Plant the roots in the substrate while keeping the crown, where the leaves meet the roots, at or just above the substrate surface.
• Leave several inches between plants for mature foliage and new daughter plants.
• Choose its position thoughtfully and avoid repeatedly uprooting it after planting.

Trimming & Propagation

• Remove damaged or deteriorating outer leaves near the base with clean scissors without injuring the crown.
• Established plants spread through runners that produce daughter rosettes.
• Allow daughter plants to develop roots and several leaves before separating and replanting them.
• Thin crowded groups carefully rather than cutting healthy leaves across their tips.

Adjustment & Crypt Melt

Cryptocoryne may shed some or even most older leaves after planting or a sudden change in conditions, a response often called crypt melt. Remove soft, decaying leaves while leaving firm, healthy roots and the crown undisturbed. With stable conditions and adequate nutrition, a healthy plant can produce new submerged foliage. Recovery time varies, so watch for fresh leaves rather than repeatedly moving the plant.