Let’s take a look at 15 of SE Asia’s Aquarium-ready Cryptocoryne!
Cryptocorynes, or Crypts, are versatile genus of plants that can adapt to a range of conditions, making them a great choice of plant for your aquarium!
They prefer low to medium lighting and can thrive without CO2 supplementation, although a little CO2 will speed up growth.
However, the downside to these aquarium plants is that they’re susceptible to “Crypt melt,” often losing some or all of their leaves after being newly planted. The good news though is that 9/10 times they’ll regrow in your new aquarium environment stronger than ever.
If you’re looking for a full Cryptocoryne Care, Growth, Propagation & Tips: Check out this guide – Cryptocoryne ‘Crypts’ Full Care & Growth Guide
In this article, you’ll learn about all of the common and a few rare varieties of Crypts that are best suited to aquariums.
Editors Note: Many hobbyists and even plant sellers often confuse the different types of Crypts. This is common as there are so many variations and unique types within each of the Cryptocoryne genus that look very similar.
Luckily, they all require low or no Co2, low-medium lighting and grow fairly slowly. So you can’t go wrong.
You just need to be careful with max size and then choose a variation that’ll look great in your setup!
Good Luck!
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Table of Contents
Common Types of Cryptocoryne
Cryptocoryne wendtii
Cryptocoryne wendtii is one of the most versatile species in the Cryptocoryne family. It’s often a favourite among both beginners and experienced aquarium enthusiasts due to its hardiness and the ease with which it adapts to different water conditions.
Wendtii is also loved for its planty good looks – it comes in green, red, and brown varieties, with leaves that have an attractive hammered texture.
- Light Level: Low to Medium
- Size: 4 to 12 inches (10 to 30 cm)
- Growth Speed: Medium
- CO2 Requirement: Low to Medium
- Colours: Green, Red, Brown
Cryptocoryne beckettii
Cryptocoryne beckettii is another robust species, known for its elongated, puckered leaves. This variety can tolerate a broad spectrum of lighting conditions, and it adds a splash of colour to your tank with its leaves ranging from a light olive green to a dark, rich brown.
- Light Level: Low to Medium
- Size: 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm)
- Growth Speed: Slow to Medium
- CO2 Requirement: Low
- Colours: Olive Green to Dark Brown
Cryptocoryne parva
Cryptocoryne parva is the smallest species in the Cryptocoryne family, but don’t let its size fool you. This little plant is tough and perfect for creating a lush carpet effect in the foreground of your aquarium. However, note that it prefers a bit more light than its larger cousins.
Related: 10 Beginner Friendly Foreground Plants
- Light Level: Medium to High
- Size: Up to 2-3 inches (5 to 7.5 cm)
- Growth Speed: Slow
- CO2 Requirement: Low to Medium
- Colours: Bright Green
Cryptocoryne undulata
Cryptocoryne undulata is a strong and adaptable aquarium plant. It gets its name from the wavy edges of its long leaves, which can add a beautiful texture to your underwater landscape. This species has variants ranging from green to red.
- Light Level: Low to Medium
- Size: 4 to 5 inches (10 to 13 cm)
- Growth Speed: Medium
- CO2 Requirement: Low
- Colours: Green, Reddish-Brown
Cryptocoryne lucens
If you’re new to aquarium planting, you might want to start with Cryptocoryne lucens. This species is quite forgiving and a great beginner plant. It has vibrant green, thin leaves that can add a splash of color to any tank setup.
- Light Level: Low to Medium
- Size: Up to 4 inches (10 cm)
- Growth Speed: Medium
- CO2 Requirement: Low
- Colours: Bright Green
Cryptocoryne crispatula
Cryptocoryne crispatula, also known as the Balansae plant, is an eye-catching species thanks to its long, ruffled leaves. It is a taller plant, perfect for creating depth and filling the background of your aquarium.
Related: Top 16 Background Plants for Easy Aquascaping
- Light Level: Low to Medium
- Size: 12 to 20 inches (30 to 50 cm)
- Growth Speed: Slow to Medium
- CO2 Requirement: Low
- Colours: Green, often with brownish tinges
Cryptocoryne spiralis
Cryptocoryne spiralis stands out with its long and narrow leaves that can give your aquarium a unique aesthetic. It’s great as a background plant in smaller tanks or as a mid-ground feature in larger setups.
- Light Level: Low to Medium
- Size: 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm)
- Growth Speed: Medium
- CO2 Requirement: Low
- Colours: Dark Green
Cryptocoryne pontederiifolia
Cryptocoryne pontederiifolia is a robust plant, making it an excellent choice for those who are new to aquascaping.
It is known for its broad, bullated leaves, which exhibit a beautiful medium to dark green colour. This plant grows relatively tall, making it suitable as a mid-ground or background species.
- Light Level: Low to Medium
- Size: 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm)
- Growth Speed: Medium
- CO2 Requirement: Low
- Colours: Medium to Dark Green
Cryptocoryne retrospiralis
If you’re looking for a species with a bit of a twist, Cryptocoryne retrospiralis could be the one. Its long, slender leaves are slightly twisted, giving this plant a unique aesthetic. It’s taller than many Cryptocoryne species and serves well as a background plant, adding layers to your aquascape.
- Light Level: Low to Medium
- Size: 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm)
- Growth Speed: Slow to Medium
- CO2 Requirement: Low
- Colours: Green with hints of Red or Bronze
Cryptocoryne walkeri
Also known as Cryptocoryne lutea, Cryptocoryne walkeri is an attractive option for aquarists. Its bright green, slightly bullated leaves are visually appealing, and the plant stays relatively small, making it an excellent choice for the foreground or mid-ground of your aquarium.
- Light Level: Low to Medium
- Size: 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm)
- Growth Speed: Medium
- CO2 Requirement: Low
- Colours: Green, sometimes with a slightly brownish hue
Cryptocoryne affinis
Cryptocoryne affinis is a stunning plant, known for its shiny green leaves that often display a metallic hue. It can adapt to a wide range of conditions and is relatively easy to care for.
- Light Level: Low to Medium
- Size: 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm)
- Growth Speed: Slow to Medium
- CO2 Requirement: Low
- Colours: Green, often with a metallic hue
Cryptocoryne albida
Cryptocoryne albida, also known as “Brown Crypt,” has narrow, elongated leaves that can range from green to bronze in colour. It’s a bit more delicate than some of the other species, but it’s stunning in the right conditions.
- Light Level: Medium
- Size: 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm)
- Growth Speed: Slow
- CO2 Requirement: Medium
- Colours: Green to Bronze
Cryptocoryne x willisii
Cryptocoryne x willisii, commonly known as “Nevillii,” has narrow leaves with a slightly wavy margin. It’s another dwarf species that’s ideal for the foreground and is relatively hardy.
- Light Level: Low to Medium
- Size: 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.5 cm)
- Growth Speed: Slow
- CO2 Requirement: Low
- Colours: Green
Cryptocoryne aponogetifolia
Cryptocoryne aponogetifolia is one of the largest species in the genus and is notable for its strikingly long, wavy leaves. It’s an excellent choice for a larger aquarium where it can truly show off its size.
- Light Level: Low to Medium
- Size: Up to 24 inches (60 cm)
- Growth Speed: Slow
- CO2 Requirement: Low
- Colours: Green, often with reddish-brown patterns
Cryptocoryne bullosa
Cryptocoryne bullosa stands out with its heavily bullated leaf texture and brownish-red color. This plant is harder to find and requires a bit more care than other Cryptocoryne species but can be a beautiful addition to an aquarium.
- Light Level: Medium
- Size: 6 to 10 inches (15 to 25 cm)
- Growth Speed: Slow to Medium
- CO2 Requirement: Medium
- Colours: Brownish-Red
Pros & Cons of Adding Cryptocoryne to Your Aquarium
Pros:
- Varied Sizes and Beautiful Appearance
- Hardy Plant & Low Maintenance
- Thrives in Low Light Conditions
Cons:
- Sometimes needs Root Tabs
- Can Melt after planted
- Slow growing
Remember that Cryptocoryne species are generally slow-growing and can take time to adjust to new environments. Be patient with them, and with proper care, they’ll add a fantastic aesthetic appeal to your aquascape.
Hope you enjoyed our Cryptocoryne Types Guide! As always if you have any questions or tips of your own, comment below.
All the best,
Charlie