Cryptocoryne petchii (Cryptocoryne petchii) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Cryptocoryne beckettii 'Petchii', Petch's crypt
Family
Araceae (arum family)
Origin
Sri Lanka
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
15 cm
Temperature
22–28°C
pH
6–8
Hardness
3–20 dGH
Care level
beginner
Lighting
Low light; CO2 not needed

Care

Cryptocoryne petchii is the small, slightly wavy-leaved form of Beckett's crypt, now usually sold as Cryptocoryne beckettii 'Petchii'. See the C. beckettii page too. Tropica's 'Petchii' is a small Sri Lankan crypt with leaves that turn dark olive-brown with violet undersides, reaching about 10–15 cm. Leaf colour and shape depend heavily on conditions. Plant it in the foreground or midground. Tropica rates it easy, with low light and CO2 needs and medium growth. Like C. beckettii it grows well even in hard water, but dislikes being moved and can melt. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. Sources: Tropica (tropica.com/en/plants); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptocorynebeckettii); 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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