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Cryptocoryne Lutea (Cryptocoryne lutea)

Crypt Lutea is a slightly taller, darker cousin of Crypt Wendtii with smooth olive-green leaves on upright stalks — equally bulletproof in low light without CO2. Plant it in nutrient-rich substrate or feed it root tabs, leave it alone through the initial melt, and it will quietly form a dense colony.

Care specifications

TypeRosette
DifficultyEasy
LightLow (10–40 µmol PAR)
CO2Not needed
Fertilizer demandMedium
Growth rateSlow
Max height6 in
Spread4 in
PlacementForeground, Midground
Attaches to hardscapeNo
Snail & shrimp safeYes
Temperature68–82 °F
pH6–7.8
ColorGreen
TrimmingMinimal
StylesNature, Jungle, Biotope

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Cryptocoryne Lutea

Cryptocoryne Lutea

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Propagation

Forms daughter plants on short runners around the mother rosette; separate them once they carry several leaves.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Crypt Lutea and Crypt Wendtii?

Lutea holds its leaves more upright and stays a uniform olive green, while Wendtii grows lower and ruffled in green, bronze, or red forms. Care is identical, so the choice is purely aesthetic — Lutea reads as a tidy vertical accent, Wendtii as a spreading rosette.

Why did my Crypt Lutea lose all its leaves after planting?

That is standard crypt melt: the plant sheds leaves grown in farm conditions and regrows ones adapted to your water. Do not pull it out — as long as the roots and crown stay firm, new leaves appear within two to four weeks.

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