Species Catalogue

Flat-growing moss that creeps along surfaces rather than growing upward. Creates a neat, low carpet on rocks and wood. Easy to maintain.

Bulb plant with long, wavy ribbon leaves. Nearly indestructible — even survives with African cichlids. Grows from a large onion-like bulb.

Classic crypt with dark green tops and reddish-brown undersides. One of the oldest aquarium crypts. Very hardy and forgiving.

A slender Cryptocoryne with narrow, strap-like leaves that range from olive-green to brownish-red depending on light intensity. Submerged leaves are typically narrower and more reddish than the emersed form. Grows to a manageable 15–20 cm (6–8 in) and is suited to the midground of smaller tanks or the foreground of larger setups. Tolerates a range of water conditions and is one of the easier narrow-leaved Crypts.

Cryptocoryne Balansae is a dramatic, tall-growing crypt producing strap-like leaves with deeply ruffled, crinkled edges that can reach 40–60 cm in length. Its striking vertical texture makes it one of the most visually distinctive background plants available without requiring high tech. Once established it is robust and spreads into an impressive stand via runners.

Cryptocoryne Beckettii is a compact, adaptable crypt producing wavy-edged leaves that range from olive-green on the upper surface to pink-brown or purple on the underside — colouration intensifying under brighter light. It is among the most forgiving crypts, tolerating harder and more alkaline water than most of its relatives. A reliable midground plant for low-tech community tanks.

Heart-shaped leaves with attractive bronze-green colouring. Grows relatively large for a crypt. Very adaptable to varying conditions.

Rare Thai crypt with narrow green leaves and prominent midrib. Very compact growth. A sought-after species for crypt collectors.

Long, narrow, ribbon-like leaves that can reach 20+ inches. Creates a grass-like effect. Extremely tolerant of hard water. Very easy.

Borneo crypt with striking reddish-brown colouration and rough leaf texture. Compact grower. Appreciates soft, acidic water.

Cryptocoryne Flamingo is an eye-catching cultivar with pale pink to deep rose-pink leaves that maintain their colour even in moderate light. A relatively recent cultivar, it adds pastel colour contrast rarely seen in aquatic plants. Hardy and slow-growing like other Cryptocorynes, making it easy to use as a focal foreground or midground accent.

Tall crypt with dramatic, heavily bullated (textured) leaves. Slow-growing but creates stunning focal points. From Borneo limestone streams.

Cryptocoryne Lucens is a small, narrow-leaved crypt with plain bright-green foliage, reaching about 10–15 cm in height. It spreads via runners to form a tidy clump over time and is one of the easiest crypts to keep, tolerating a wide range of conditions including harder water. An excellent choice for foreground or midground planting without the demanding care of more ornate crypt species.

Cryptocoryne lutea is a small to medium-sized crypt producing olive-green to brownish-green leaves with a slightly hammered or textured surface. It is one of the most adaptable and forgiving crypt species, tolerating a wide range of water conditions including moderate hardness and near-neutral pH. Reaching 10–20 cm in height, it works well in the foreground or midground of medium to large planted tanks, spreading via runners into tidy clumps.

Compact crypt with smooth, spoon-shaped green leaves. Stays small — great for foreground use. Very easy and undemanding.

A small, compact Cryptocoryne with narrow, lance-shaped leaves of uniform mid-green. One of the more underrated compact Crypts, it stays small and spreads slowly via runners to form neat clusters. A good foreground alternative where HC Cuba or Monte Carlo would require CO2.

A highly sought-after Cryptocoryne among collectors, prized for its dramatically patterned leaves featuring brown-green to dark olive surfaces with reddish-brown splotches, spots, and a heavily bullate texture. Multiple forms exist — some have narrow leaves, others broader. Slower and more delicate than common Crypts, it rewards patient keepers with unique, jewel-like foliage. Best maintained in stable, soft, slightly acidic water with minimal disturbance.

Cryptocoryne Parva is the smallest crypt species, producing narrow, plain-green leaves that rarely exceed 5–6 cm — making it the only crypt truly suitable for a foreground carpet role. Growth is extremely slow even under good conditions; patience of several months is required before carpeting effect appears. It is also the least prone to 'crypt melt' among its genus.

A compact, manageable Cryptocoryne from Sri Lanka with narrow, lance-shaped leaves that can range from olive-green to brownish depending on conditions. Often confused with C. wendtii but distinguished by its shorter stature and slightly narrower leaves. It is very adaptable and tolerates a wide pH and hardness range, making it one of the best Crypts for beginners. Forms attractive rosettes in the foreground or midground of most tanks.

Cryptocoryne wendtii Pink Panther is a stunning mid-sized crypt featuring deep pink to reddish undersides on its leaves with darker green upper surfaces, creating striking two-tone coloration. This variety grows moderately and develops a compact rosette form, making it an excellent choice for mid-ground placement in planted tanks. It is hardy and adaptable, thriving in a wide range of water conditions with minimal special care.

A medium-sized Cryptocoryne with broad, oval-to-heart-shaped leaves in a uniform bright green. The rounded leaf form is quite different from most Crypts and adds a distinctive look to the midground. Relatively fast-growing for a Crypt and more tolerant of harder water than many species. An underrated choice that pairs beautifully with more colourful plants like AR or Rotala.

One of the smallest crypts. Narrow grass-like leaves only 2–3 inches tall. Perfect foreground crypt for nano tanks.

Tall, narrow-leaved crypt with wavy margins. Can grow quite large. Creates a flowing, grass-like background effect. Very undemanding.

Borneo crypt with heavily textured, bullated leaves. Dark green to brown. Unique wrinkled texture sets it apart from other crypts.

Cryptocoryne Spiralis produces unusually long, slender leaves with a finely serrated or slightly twisted edge, giving it a distinctive spiral character unlike most other crypts. Leaves can reach 30–50 cm, placing it firmly in background territory. It prefers softer, slightly acidic water and benefits from CO2 supplementation to sustain its taller, more demanding growth habit.

A versatile mid-sized Cryptocoryne with lanceolate leaves that have attractively undulated margins. Colouration ranges from olive-green to reddish-brown depending on light intensity and water conditions. It is one of the hardiest Cryptocoryne species, tolerating a wider range of pH and hardness than most.

A large, majestic Cryptocoryne species with broad, heavily bullate (bumpy-textured) leaves in shades of brown-green with reddish undersides. One of the biggest Crypts available, capable of reaching 50–60 cm in ideal conditions. Best suited to large tanks where it serves as a dramatic centrepiece or bold background plant. Slower to establish than smaller species but extremely long-lived and rewarding.

Cryptocoryne walkeri is a compact, slow-growing crypt with narrow, lance-shaped green leaves that form dense rosettes. It is one of the smallest Cryptocoryne species, making it ideal for foreground placement in smaller aquariums. This hardy plant is undemanding and tolerates a wide range of water conditions, making it excellent for beginners.

Cryptocoryne wendtii is a popular, low-maintenance rosette plant available in several colour forms from green to brown-red. It may undergo 'crypt melt' when first planted or after water chemistry changes, but almost always recovers. Once established it is resilient and spreads via runners.