Vallisneria Spiralis

Vallisneria spiralis is a rooted background plant that sends up long, ribbon-like leaves which bend over and sway near the surface once they reach full height. It is one of the oldest and most reliable aquarium plants in the hobby, and it spreads on its own by sending out runners across the substrate, so a few plants become a wall of green given time.

Growing it in your tank

• Plant the roots in the substrate but keep the crown — where the leaves meet the roots — above the surface of the sand or gravel.
• Spreads by runners, so leave room between plants and thin them out periodically.
• Grows well in moderate light and appreciates hard, mineral-rich water.
• Benefits from root tabs in an inert substrate.
• Does not respond well to liquid carbon products containing glutaraldehyde, which commonly cause it to melt.
• Trim long leaves at the base rather than cutting across the tips.

It suits community tanks, livebearer tanks and African cichlid setups where hard water is the norm. Goldfish and large cichlids will uproot or eat it. Never dispose of aquarium plants in waterways, storm drains or compost destined for outdoors.

Stock rotates with each delivery, and live plants are available for local pickup at our Lethbridge store. See the vallisneria collection.