Species guide
Cryptocoryne wendtii Care Guide (Root Feeder)
Aquatic plant
Cryptocoryne wendtii is the forgiving rosette crypt for low-tech tanks. Plant the crown at substrate level, expect crypt melt after moves, and feed roots in inert sand with tabs or aquasoil.
- Easy
- Low–medium light
- Root feeder
- Rosette crypt
Quick facts
| Light | Low–medium |
|---|---|
| CO₂ | Optional — not required |
| Temp | 22–28 °C (72–82 °F) |
| pH | 6.0–7.5 |
| Growth | Slow–moderate once established |
| Difficulty | Beginner (after melt phase) |
| Placement | Midground — crown at substrate surface |
Overview
Cryptocoryne wendtii from Sri Lanka comes in green, brown (‘Tropica’), and red forms. Unlike epiphytes, crypts feed heavily through roots—plant into aquasoil, capped nutrient sand, or inert sand with root tabs.
It anchors Budget 150 low-tech layouts as a midground bush. After shipping or rescapes, leaves often melt to the crown—this is usually normal, not death. Read our crypt melt guide before panic-trimming rhizomes.
Do not uproot weekly; crypts hate change. If established leaves show pinholes, check potassium in stem-heavy tanks. Algae on old leaves often means photoperiod too long—see BBA fix order.
Care steps
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Step 1
Plant crown at substrate level
Bury roots, not the crown. Too deep causes rot; too shallow and plant floats at water changes.
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Step 2
Feed the roots
In aquasoil, root tabs are optional after month 3. In plain sand, insert root tabs near the crown quarterly.
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Step 3
Low–medium light
6–8 hours/day. Crypts color up under moderate light but burn rarely—algae on slow leaves is the bigger risk.
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Step 4
Leave it alone after planting
Avoid moving for 4–6 weeks. Runners will spread when stable—divide only when bush is crowded.
Common problems
Crypt melt (all leaves dissolve)
Why: Parameter shift, replanting, or shipping stress.
Fix: Leave crown buried; stop moving; wait 2–4 weeks for new leaves. See crypt melt troubleshoot.
Plant floats after water change
Why: Shallow planting or gravel too coarse without root hold.
Fix: Replant deeper with tweezers; use plant weights temporarily; switch to finer cap if needed.
Holes or melting only on outer leaves
Why: Old leaf senescence, snail damage, or K limitation.
Fix: Trim outer leaves; check for ramshorn on soft tissue; add balanced fert if stems show pinholes too.
Good tank mates & companions
- Shrimp & snails — safe; may graze soft melt leaves.
- Community fish — tetras, Corydoras; avoid diggers that uproot midground.
- Companion plants: Anubias on wood, Java fern, slow stems in background.
- Avoid: large cichlids and goldfish that uproot constantly.
Gear for this species
API Root Tabs Freshwater Aquarium Plant Fertilizer 10-Count Box
Viên phân gốc API — cây ăn rễ, bổ sung macro cho nền.
Landen Aqua Soil Substrate for Natural Planted Aquarium, Plant or Shrimp Stratum, Clay Gravel and Stable Porous Substrate for Freshwater Aquarium, Black Color 40lbs
Substrate vàng chuẩn Iwagumi / Nature Aquarium.
Budget 150 low-tech setup — Aquasoil + root tabs path for crypt midground
FAQ
Is crypt melt normal for wendtii?
Often yes after planting or big water changes. New leaves from the crown mean the plant is recovering.
Sand or soil for Crypt wendtii?
Aquasoil is easiest. Inert sand works with root tabs placed near the crown.
Does wendtii need CO₂?
No—it is a classic low-tech crypt. CO₂ can speed growth slightly.
How big does Crypt wendtii get?
Typically 10–30 cm tall depending on variety and light—plan midground space.
Can I grow wendtii in a nano tank?
Yes—one rosette fits a 5–10 gallon. Trim outer leaves to control spread.
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