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Cryptocoryne Balansae (Cryptocoryne crispatula var. balansae)

Crypt Balansae brings height to a low-tech tank with long, ruffled, strap-like leaves that sway in the current. It is one of the few dramatic background plants that thrives in low light and hard water without CO2, and like all crypts it rewards being left alone.

Care specifications

TypeRosette
DifficultyEasy
LightLow (15–40 µmol PAR)
CO2Not needed
Fertilizer demandMedium
Growth rateSlow
Max height16 in
Spread8 in
PlacementBackground
Attaches to hardscapeNo
Snail & shrimp safeYes
Temperature70–82 °F
pH6.5–8
ColorGreen
TrimmingMinimal
StylesNature, Jungle, Biotope

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Cryptocoryne Balansae

Cryptocoryne Balansae - Potted

$9.79 In stock

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Propagation

Sends runners that pop up daughter plants nearby; separate them once established or let it form a colony.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Crypt Balansae take to establish?

Expect an initial melt and a slow first one to two months while it roots. Once settled it steadily sends up leaves a foot or more long and spreads into an attractive colony — it is a plant you buy for month three, not week one.

Is Crypt Balansae good for hard water?

Yes — it actually prefers harder, slightly alkaline water, a legacy of the limestone streams it comes from. It is one of the best background choices for tanks where soft-water stem plants struggle.

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