Cryptocoryne Balansae

Balansae crypt (Cryptocoryne crispatula var. balansae) is a tall rosette plant from mainland Southeast Asia with long, narrow strap leaves that are heavily puckered and ribbed along their length. Planted as a group at the back of a tank, the leaves lean and ripple in the current, giving a sense of movement that few other background plants manage.

Aquarium care

• Rosette plant: bury the roots and leave the crown at the substrate surface.
• Expect it to melt after transplanting. Leaves often collapse in the first weeks and the plant then regrows from the rootstock. Leave the roots undisturbed and remove only rotting leaves.
• A heavy root feeder, so root tabs or a nutritive substrate suit it better than water column dosing alone.
• Tolerates low to moderate light, and growth is unhurried either way.
• Dislikes being moved, so choose its position before planting.
• Spreads slowly by runners once it has settled.

Well suited to quieter community tanks with rasboras, pencilfish, gouramis, dwarf cichlids and shrimp. Keep it away from fish that dig the substrate.

Stock rotates as new plants arrive, and plants are for local pickup at our Lethbridge store. Browse the plants collection for the current range.