Image: Wikimedia Commons — attribution available on this site.
Plant appearance can vary with lighting, nutrients, CO₂, and whether it is grown submerged or emersed.
easylow lightNo CO2 neededslow growthrosette
Cryptocoryne Wendtii
Cryptocoryne wendtii
Also: Crypt Wendtii, Red Wendtii
Cryptocoryne wendtii is a resilient, slow-growing rosette plant widely available in many leaf-colour variants (green, brown, red). Once established, it spreads naturally via runners. It may melt back after a change in conditions, new growth will be adapted to your tank.
Care at a glance
Difficultyeasy
Lightlow
CO2Not needed
FertiliserNot essential
Growth rateslow
Max height20cm
Placementmidground
Min tank20L
Water parameters
Temperature22–28°C
pH6–8
Shrimp safeYes
Herbivore risknone
Propagationrunners
Beginner guidance
Expect melting leaves after purchase, do not uproot; wait for recovery. Root tabs help in inert substrate. Once established, it is very hardy. Spreads slowly to form a mid-tank cluster.
Cautions
- Crypt melt is normal after purchase; do not disturb the roots.
Similar plants
- Java Mosseasy · low light · no CO2
- Anubiaseasy · low light · no CO2
- Java Ferneasy · low light · no CO2
- Amazon Swordeasy · medium light · no CO2
- Hornworteasy · low light · no CO2
- Water Wisteriaeasy · medium light · no CO2
Explore further
- Easy beginner aquarium plants
- Low-light aquarium plants
- Aquarium carpet plants
- Plants for shrimp tanks
- Plants that grow without CO2
- Fast-growing aquarium plants
- All plants
- Tank builder — test plant + fish combinations.
- Fish guides: Beginner-friendly freshwater fish · Peaceful community fish · Fin-nipping fish · Aggressive & semi-aggressive fish
- Tank hubs: 30L · 60L · 100L · 200L