Cryptocoryne axelrodii (Cryptocoryne axelrodii) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Possibly a synonym of Cryptocoryne undulata
Family
Araceae (arum family)
Origin
Sri Lanka (if, as is likely, it is the same as C. undulata)
Water
freshwater
Temperature
22–28°C
pH
6–8
Hardness
3–15 dGH
Care level
beginner
Lighting
Medium to bright light; CO2 not needed

Care

Cryptocoryne axelrodii is an old name that Wikipedia lists, with a question mark, as a synonym of Cryptocoryne undulata, the undulate crypt from Sri Lanka. It is not in Wikipedia's list of accepted species, so plants sold under this name are best treated as C. undulata; see that page for care. C. undulata has long, ruffled, dark green leaves and is one of the easier crypts, grown partly or fully submerged at about 22–28 °C. Like other crypts it grows as a rosette from a creeping rhizome, rooted in a fine, nutrient-rich substrate in the foreground or midground. Crypts dislike being moved and often "melt" (drop their leaves) after planting or after sudden changes in water; leave the rhizome in place and it usually regrows within about a month. Species from soft-water peat swamps are generally harder to keep than those from limestone streams, which tolerate harder water. pH and hardness are our estimate, not from the sources. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptocoryneundulata); 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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