Vallisneria Spiralis Torta

Corkscrew vallisneria (Vallisneria spiralis 'Torta') is a twisted-leaf form of the common straight vallisneria. The leaves are ribbon-like and green, spiralling tightly along their length so the plant reads as a cluster of green corkscrews rather than flat blades. It stays shorter than giant vallisneria, which makes it usable in tanks where the taller species would simply lie along the surface.

Aquarium care

• Plant the roots in the substrate but keep the crown, where leaves meet roots, above it.
• Grows in moderate light and needs no CO2.
• Spreads by runners, sending up new plants alongside the parent. A single plant becomes a stand.
• Prefers harder, alkaline water, which suits Lethbridge tap water.
• Thin the runners rather than trimming the leaf tips; cut tips brown off.
• Sensitive to some algae treatments, particularly those containing copper or excel-type carbon products.

A dependable background plant for community tanks, and useful for filling a rear corner quickly. Heavy diggers such as large cichlids and goldfish will uproot the runners.

Stock rotates as new plants arrive, and plants are sold for local pickup at our Lethbridge store. See the current live plants.