Vallisneria
Vallisneria sp.
PlantsFreshwater
- Care level
- Easy
- Maximum size
- 100 cm
- Temperature
- 20–28 °C
- pH
- 6.5–8
- Light
- Medium
- Diet
- Photosynthetic
Care at a glance
Vallisneria is the classic background plant: long, ribbon-like leaves that grow to the surface and sway there, instantly giving a tank depth. It grows fast, needs no CO2 and spreads on its own through runners until a dense forest stands there.
Two things are worth knowing. It dislikes soft, acidic water and actually does well in hard tap water. And it reacts badly to trimming: cut the leaf tips back and those tips die off brown. When it gets too long, remove whole leaves at the base rather than shortening them. Some iron in the fertiliser keeps it a fresh green.
Related species
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Values are mainstream hobbyist guidance, not gospel — always watch what your own animals need.