About the species

Cryptocoryne spiralis 'Red' is an Indian Cryptocoryne with narrow, upright leaves in red-brown tones. The leaves are only one to one and a half centimetres wide, yet can exceed 50 centimetres in length in the aquarium. The margins are softly waved and a faint green mid-stripe sometimes shows. It is not difficult to grow, but it needs good light and nutrition to reach its full height and deepest colour.

Facts

• Latin name: Cryptocoryne spiralis 'Red'
• Plant type: Rosette plant
• Origin: Asia
• Height: 20–30 cm
• Growth rate: Medium
• Position: Background

Light requirement

Medium light requirement. Reckon on around 0.5 W per litre or a modern mid-range LED unit. Too little light gives sparse, stretched shoots and pale leaves, while the right amount keeps the plant compact and richly coloured.

CO₂ & nutrition

Added CO₂ is recommended — Tropica reckons 6–14 mg/l as a medium requirement. The plant can be grown without, but then grows more slowly and loses some of its colour. Supplement with liquid fertiliser weekly and keep iron and potassium levels up.

Planting

Plant the root ball in the substrate so the roots are covered but the crown — where the new leaves emerge — sits just above it. Burying the growth point makes the plant rot. Give it plenty of room, since the leaves spread out in a rosette.

Carefully remove the pot and rinse the rock wool off the roots before planting — leftover rock wool can otherwise hinder rooting.

Care & propagation

Cut old outer leaves off at the base once they start to look tired, and the rosette stays fresh. The plant propagates itself with daughter plants from the rootstock; separate them from the mother plant once they have their own roots and a few leaves.

Position in the aquarium

Given its mature height it belongs at the back or along the sides, where it forms a dense wall of greenery and hides equipment. In a smaller aquarium it can also be used as a solitaire in one corner.

Difficulty level

🟡 Moderate — wants stable lighting and regular fertilisation to look its best.

Delivery format

Delivered as a pot grown submerged, with the roots in rock wool. The pot holds several plants or stems that can be divided and planted separately.

Recommendation

An unusual background plant if you want red without taking on demanding stem plants. Plant three to five rosettes as a group and they form a dense, grass-like curtain instead of looking straggly.