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Jungle Val (Vallisneria americana)

Jungle Val grows ribbon leaves a yard long that bend and flow across the surface, creating the jungle-stream canopy look with zero technology: low light, no CO2, hard water welcome. Give it space — a happy Val colony will run the length of the tank within months.

Care specifications

TypeRosette
DifficultyEasy
LightLow (15–40 µmol PAR)
CO2Not needed
Fertilizer demandMedium
Growth rateFast
Max height36 in
Spread6 in
PlacementBackground
Attaches to hardscapeNo
Snail & shrimp safeYes
Temperature64–82 °F
pH6.5–8
ColorGreen
TrimmingRegular
StylesJungle, Biotope, Nature

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Jungle Val

Jungle Val (Vallisneria americana)

$5.99 In stock

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Propagation

Spreads rapidly by runners along the substrate; snip daughter plants free once rooted, or let it form a curtain.

Frequently asked questions

Why did my Vallisneria melt when I started CO2 or liquid carbon?

Vals are unusually sensitive to glutaraldehyde-based liquid carbon products, which can melt them outright — avoid dosing those near Vals. Pressurized CO2 itself is tolerated, though Vals rarely need it; sudden chemistry swings are the usual culprit for melt.

How do I stop Jungle Val from taking over the tank?

Pull runners monthly where you do not want new plants, and trim leaves diagonally near the surface. A root barrier or a band of rock between substrate zones also works — left alone, a colony will happily annex the midground.

How deep should I plant Jungle Val?

Bury only the roots and leave the pale crown — the point where the leaves fan out — sitting just above the substrate. A Val that keeps floating free or melts away at the base was almost certainly planted too deep; reset it shallower and it usually bounces back.

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