Cryptocoryne wendtii
Cryptocoryne wendtii
Also known asCrypt wendtii · Wendt's water trumpet
Water parameters
Light and nutrients
Substrate type: nutrient rich. Propagation: runners.
Substrate compatibility
| Substrate | pH effect | Nutrient load |
|---|---|---|
| Aquasoil (ADA Amazonia) | lowers pH | very high |
| Mineralized clay substrate (Seachem Fluorite) | neutral / inert | moderate |
| Dirted tank (mineralized topsoil) (DIY soil substrate) | slightly acidic | very high |
| Inert sand (Pool filter sand) | neutral / inert | none |
With fish
Origin and habitat
Native to Sri Lanka, found in slow-moving streams and river margins across the island. The species (Cryptocoryne wendtii) is the single most commonly sold and widely grown Cryptocoryne in the aquarium hobby worldwide. Multiple named color varieties are commercially available: 'Green' (bright olive-green leaves), 'Brown' (dark brown-green), 'Red' (reddish-brown), 'Tropica' (dark bronze with ruffled margins), 'Mi Oya' (named for a specific Sri Lankan river, with reddish-bronze coloring), and 'Flamingo' (a pink tissue-culture mutation). Leaf shape is broadly lanceolate, 10–20 cm long, with slightly wavy margins and a hammered or dimpled surface texture. The species exhibits substantial phenotypic plasticity: the same plant can look quite different depending on light, nutrients, and water chemistry, which has contributed to taxonomic confusion and the proliferation of trade names.
Care notes
The easiest Cryptocoryne and one of the most reliable aquarium plants for any skill level. Grows in virtually any conditions: low to high light, no CO2, hard or soft water, pH 6.0-8.0, temperature 20–30°C. Under low light, all varieties trend toward green; under moderate to high light, the distinctive varietal colors emerge more strongly. Root tabs or nutrient-rich substrate recommended for best color and growth, but the plant grows acceptably in plain gravel with minimal care. Growth rate is moderate, producing roughly one new leaf per week once established. Crypt melt is possible during acclimation but C. wendtii is one of the most recovery-reliable species in the genus, regaining its leaves within 2-4 weeks of melting. Propagation by runners; C. wendtii is among the most prolific runner-producers in the genus, often colonizing a 20–30 cm area within a few months from a small starter group. Trim and relocate daughter plants that grow outside the intended planting zone. Compatible with all fish; the tough, slightly leathery leaves resist damage from most herbivores. This is the plant to start with if you've never kept Cryptocorynes. The color varieties (Green, Brown, Red, Tropica) allow beginners to experiment with different looks within a single easy species.