Vallisneria spiralis
Vallisneria spiralis L.
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Explore compatibility, care or problems using this guide and your aquarium’s conditions.
Planting & care
- PlacementBackground
- Growth typeRosette plant
- LightMedium
- CO2None
About this plant
Vallisneria spiralis is a fast-growing submerged rosette plant with narrow ribbon-like leaves and a wide natural range from Europe through Asia to southern Africa. Despite the name, 'spiralis' refers to the coiling female flower stalk rather than consistently twisted leaves. Aquarium leaves are roughly 0.8 to 1.5 cm wide and can reach up to about 100 cm, so the plant is best used in the background of medium or large tanks. It spreads readily through runners, and unwanted daughter rosettes can be separated once they have rooted. Medium to strong light is suitable, but injected carbon dioxide is not required. The species tolerates a broad range of pH and water hardness, making it useful for beginner and hard-water aquariums. Avoid cutting individual leaves across the middle; remove old leaves at the base instead. Regular runner control prevents the colony from occupying the entire substrate.
Quick specs
- Difficulty
- Beginner Friendly
- Light
- Medium
- CO₂
- None
- Temperature
- 41–86°F (5–30°C)
- Placement
- Background
- Growth type
- Rosette plant
- Aquarium suitability
- Suitable for aquariums Suitable for long-term aquarium use.
Water conditions
Plant reference ranges, not dosing instructions or measurements from your aquarium. Consider livestock needs and measured conditions.
- Preferred temperature
- 68–82°F (20–28°C)
- Temperature
- 41–86°F (5–30°C)
- pH
- 6–8
- Carbonate hardness
- 2–21 °dKH
- Recorded CO₂ (mg/L)
- 0–20 mg/L
Growth & placement
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Width
- 0.3–0.6" (0.8–1.5 cm)
- Propagation
- Runners
- Color
- Green
Grow it successfully
What you’ll need to grow Vallisneria spiralis
Start with this plant’s documented care needs, then use an AquariumLesson calculator to size the setup for your aquarium.
Substrate
A suitable substrate or targeted root nutrition can support this plant's growth habit.
Calculate how much substrate you needWhere to buy Vallisneria spiralis
Taxonomy
- Major group
- Angiosperms
- Family
- Hydrocharitaceae
- Genus
- Vallisneria
- Botanical name
- Vallisneria spiralis L.
