Want the look of Vallisneria from a Crypt? Cryptocoryne crispatula var. balansae sends up long, narrow ribbon leaves with a distinctive hammered, ruffled texture — a background plant that moves like grass but behaves like a Crypt, and one that takes hard water in its stride. What You’ll Receive Sold as Bare-root Plants, Bunched Plants, or Potted Plants Bare-root plants | approx. 1-2 plants loose, bare-root portion Bunched plants | approx. 1-2 plants bundled with foam, and lead weight Potted plants | approx. 1-2 plants with net pot and rock wool Young plants grow in a controlled laboratory environment Plant Profile Common name — Balansae Crypt Scientific name — Cryptocoryne crispatula var. balansae Also known as — Cryptocoryne balansae Origin — Southern Thailand Placement — Background Mature height — 12–20 in Growth rate — Slow Care Difficulty — Beginner Light — Low to medium. Brighter light brings bronze tones into the leaves CO₂ — Not required Water — 72–82°F · pH 6.5–7.5. Hard water with good calcium suits it well Substrate — Required. Root feeder — nutrient substrate or root tabs Growth habit — Amphibious. Also grows emersed Propagation — Substrate runners Grower’s Notes Hard water is not a problem here. Cryptocoryne generally do well in harder water than most planted-tank species, and balansae is no exception — it appreciates a good calcium content. If your tap water is hard and stem plants have disappointed you, Crypts are the group to look at. Expect it to melt after planting. Crypts drop their leaves on a change of conditions and rebuild from the roots over two to four weeks. Leave it alone through that. Feed at the roots and place it once. Crypts melt again every time they are moved, so decide position before planting. Slow to start, then quick. Once established it spreads by runner and fills a background with little further help. Leaf color ranges from lush green to bronze depending on light — both are healthy. Also available as sterile Balansae Vitro Culture if you want several plantlets in one bag. Want to go deeper? Read our complete Cryptocoryne Care Guide. Notes Pictures are not the actual plants you will receive, but a sample representation. Unless specific, we don't guarantee aquatic plants will be free of pests, and pesticides, grow emerged, or submerge. Never release aquarium plants into natural waterways.
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