Cryptocoryne — “crypts” to hobbyists — are among the hardiest rooted aquarium plants you can grow. They form lush rosettes of wavy leaves that are perfect for the midground, and once settled they reward you for years. Here’s how to keep them happy.
Planting Cryptocoryne
Unlike Anubias, crypts are rooted plants: plant the crown in your substrate, keeping the base of the leaves (the crown) just above the soil. They feed heavily from their roots, so a nutrient-rich substrate or root tabs help them flourish.
Light and water
Crypts thrive in low to moderate light without CO₂, comfortable around 22–28°C. They adapt to a wide range of water, which is why they’re so beginner-friendly.
Why is my Cryptocoryne melting?
“Crypt melt” — leaves going mushy and dissolving soon after planting — is completely normal. It’s the plant shedding its old growth to adapt to your water. Don’t pull it out: leave the roots undisturbed, remove the mushy leaves, and new, fully-adapted growth follows within weeks.
Propagation
Cryptocoryne spreads via runners, sending up daughter plants beside the parent. Once a daughter has its own roots and a few leaves, separate it and replant elsewhere to build a carpet of crypts.
Placement
Use crypts in the midground, in front of taller stems and beside hardscape planted with Anubias and Java fern for a layered, natural look.
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