Cryptocoryne albida (Cryptocoryne albida) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Cryptocoryne albida 'Brown'
Family
Araceae (arum family)
Origin
Southern China, eastern India, Bangladesh and Indochina, including Thailand
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
15 cm
Temperature
22–28°C
pH
6–8
Hardness
3–15 dGH
Care level
beginner
Lighting
Low light; CO2 not needed
Flow
Tolerates moderate flow

Care

Cryptocoryne albida is a narrow-leaved crypt from mainland Asia. It is rated Least Concern by the IUCN. Tropica sells it as C. albida 'Brown', with narrow reddish-brown leaves 1–3 cm wide and up to about 15 cm long, patterned darker and with wavy edges. The slim leaves give a light, graceful look that contrasts well with broad-leaved plants. Plant it in groups in the foreground or midground; it grows 5–15 cm in two months. Tropica rates it easy, with low light and CO2 needs. It puts up with poor conditions and very low light, but then grows very slowly. Like other crypts it may "melt" after planting and then recover. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. Sources: Tropica (tropica.com/en/plants); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptocorynealbida); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptocoryne); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Crypts spread by runners from the rhizome, producing daughter plants that can be cut off and replanted once they have a few leaves and roots. Plants grown emersed may flower; the flower is a twisted "water trumpet" (a spathe), and seed is rarely set in cultivation.

Compatibility and tank mates

Crypt leaves are fairly tough and are usually left alone by fish, shrimp and snails. Large digging cichlids and goldfish may uproot young plants. Tropical tanks only.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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