PlantLab › Plants › Cryptocoryne balansae

Midground · Beginner friendly

Cryptocoryne balansae

Cryptocoryne crispatula var. balansae

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✦ DIFFICULTY Easy–Moderate

A forgiving choice for newer planted tanks.

☀ LIGHT Moderate

Around 9 hours is a useful starting point.

≈ CO₂ Optional

Injection is not normally necessary.

↗ GROWTH Slow

Low trimming needs.

PLANT OVERVIEW

About Cryptocoryne balansae

A tall crypt with long, crinkled strap leaves for the background.

Cryptocoryne balansae sends up long, deeply textured strap leaves that sway in the current, giving a background the look of underwater grass. It appreciates harder water and moderate flow, and once established it spreads by runners into a striking stand.

Shrimp friendly Low-tech suitable High-tech suitable

CARE PROFILE

What this plant needs.

The useful numbers and practical notes, grouped around how you actually keep the plant.

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TANK FIT

Placement + size

Primary placementMidground

Typical height12–20 in

Typical width8 in

Suggested minimum tank5 gal

Suggested tank height8 in+

☀

LIGHT + CO₂

Energy demand

Ideal lightModerate

Photoperiod range8–11 hr

Approx. PAR20–55

Injected CO₂Optional

CO₂ benefitModerate

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NUTRITION

Where it feeds

Root feedingHigh

Water-column feedingLow

Overall fertilizer demandModerate

Iron demandModerate

MicronutrientsModerate

≈

WATER

Useful parameter range

Temperature72–82°F

pH6–7.5

GH4–18 dGH

KH3–15 dKH

PLANTING

How to plant it.

Substrate: Nutrient-rich substrate; root tabs help

Plant the crown just above the substrate; roots feed heavily.

GROWTH + PROPAGATION

What to expect after planting.

Propagation

Runners / daughter plants

Acclimation

Prone to "crypt melt" after a move or parameter change; usually regrows from the rhizome — leave it be.

COMMON PROBLEMS

What usually goes wrong.

Crypt melt after replanting or sudden parameter swings; slow to establish.

KEEP EXPLORING

Plants with similar growing conditions.

Matched from the PlantLab database using light, CO₂, difficulty, feeding demand and placement.

Aquarium Plant Fertlizer

Cryptocoryne balansae

About Cryptocoryne balansae

What this plant needs.

Placement + size

Energy demand

Where it feeds

Useful parameter range

How to plant it.

What to expect after planting.

Propagation

Acclimation

What usually goes wrong.

Plants with similar growing conditions.

Cryptocoryne beckettii 'Petchii'

Cryptocoryne crispatula

Cryptocoryne pontederiifolia

Cryptocoryne usteriana

Cryptocoryne walkeri

Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Green'