Care specifications
| Type | Rosette |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Light | Low (15–40 µmol PAR) |
| CO2 | Not needed |
| Fertilizer demand | Medium |
| Growth rate | Fast |
| Max height | 24 in |
| Spread | 4 in |
| Placement | Background |
| Attaches to hardscape | No |
| Snail & shrimp safe | Yes |
| Temperature | 64–82 °F |
| pH | 6.5–8 |
| Color | Green |
| Trimming | Regular |
| Styles | Biotope, Jungle, Nature |
Get Vallisneria Spiralis
Propagation
Spreads by runners across the substrate; snip off daughter plants once they have a few leaves, or let the colony fill in.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Vallisneria spiralis and Jungle Val?
Mostly size. Spiralis has narrower leaves that stop around 20–24 inches, while Jungle Val regularly hits a yard. For tanks under roughly 75 gallons, spiralis gives the flowing Val curtain without the surface mat of excess leaf. The 'spiralis' name refers to its corkscrewed flower stalk, not the leaves.
Why is my Vallisneria not spreading?
Vals sulk for a few weeks after planting, especially if the crown was buried — keep the white crown just above the substrate. Once rooted, runners come steadily; if they still do not, the usual culprits are very soft, acidic water (Vals prefer some hardness) or a recent dose of glutaraldehyde-based liquid carbon, which this genus tolerates poorly.
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