Vallisneria
Vallisneria spiralis
Hydrocharitaceae
PlantsDifficulty: ●●○○○Data: well-established
About
Vallisneria is a fast-growing rosette plant with long ribbon-like leaves that stream in the current and quickly form a dense background jungle. It spreads aggressively by runners, sending up daughter plants that can carpet the back of a tank within weeks. Tolerant of hard, alkaline water, it is a classic beginner background plant that oxygenates and outcompetes algae.
Care
Plant runners in substrate keeping the crown exposed, provide moderate light, and trim runners to control spread. Prefers harder, alkaline water.
Diet
Feeds from both substrate and water column; a root tab and modest column dosing fuel its rapid runner growth.