Straight vallisneria (Vallisneria spiralis) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Tape grass, Eelgrass, Vallisneria spiralis 'Tiger', Vallisneria gracilis, Vallisneria physicum
Family
Hydrocharitaceae (frogbit family)
Origin
Southern and eastern Europe, western and southern Asia, and Africa; naturalised more widely
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
100 cm
Temperature
15–28°C
pH
6.5–8.5
Hardness
5–20 dGH
Care level
beginner
Lighting
Low to medium light; CO2 not needed

Care

Vallisneria spiralis (straight vallisneria) is the classic tape grass of streams and ponds, with narrow, ribbon-like leaves up to about 1 m long and 2 cm wide, from pale green to reddish. The species name refers to the female flower stalk, which coils like a spring after pollination and pulls the developing fruit down into the water. Male and female flowers grow on separate plants. Tropica sells the cultivar 'Tiger', with striped leaves 30–50 cm long and 1–2 cm wide, which it rates easy and suitable for beginners; it grows in nearly all light and water conditions and its leaves are short and narrow enough not to shade smaller plants. Use it at the back or sides of the tank. Vallisneria generally prefers neutral to alkaline water, grows best in bright light but copes with moderate light, and does not need CO2. Plain gravel works if an iron-rich fertiliser is added now and then. Plant with the crown (where leaves meet roots) just above the substrate. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. It is an "unwanted organism" in New Zealand, where its sale is banned, and has naturalised in geothermal ponds in Iceland. Never release this plant or dispose of it in drains or waterways; it is invasive in some countries. Sources: Tropica (tropica.com/en/plants); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vallisneriaspiralis); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Spreads by runners from the base, each producing daughter plants along it. Once a daughter has its own roots, cut the runner and replant it elsewhere. Do not bury the crown when planting. It mainly spreads by runners and can form dense stands; seed has not been seen to germinate in aquaria.

Compatibility and tank mates

A tough plant that most fish ignore, though goldfish, large cichlids and some herbivores eat the leaves. Diggers uproot young plants. Ideal for livebearer and community tanks; it tolerates slightly brackish water.

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

About Aquatic-Auctions

  • Aquatic-Auctions (aquatic-auctions.com) is a UK online marketplace for aquarium and pond livestock and equipment: tropical and marine fish, corals, shrimp, snails and other invertebrates, aquatic plants, tanks, filtration, lighting and food.
  • Items are sold by auction, buy it now or classified advert, by hobbyist and business sellers in the UK.
  • Buyers pay sellers directly; Aquatic-Auctions does not hold the money. Hobbyist sellers must offer PayPal and may also take cash on collection. Business sellers take PayPal (required) or cash on collection, and bank transfer only once they have a seller rating of 50 out of 100, a company and pet-selling licence checked by Aquatic-Auctions, a bank account in the company's name, and bank details approved by Aquatic-Auctions.
  • Buyers are told to pay by PayPal Goods & Services, never PayPal Friends and Family, gift cards or crypto.
  • Live fish and other vertebrates must be sent by specialist live-animal couriers (for example APC Overnight or DX Express), never by Royal Mail. Some invertebrates and plants may go by Royal Mail Special Delivery or 1st Class within its rules.
  • Banned and invasive species (for example those on the GB invasive species lists) cannot be listed, and sellers must meet the site’s animal welfare standards.
  • Members must be 16 or over to buy (16 and 17-year-olds with a parent or guardian’s agreement); sellers must be 18 or over.
  • Business sellers show their address, company details and pet-selling licence to buyers. Seller ratings run from 0 to 100: +1 for each positive feedback, −1 for each negative.
  • The site includes a free community species wiki with care guides (water parameters, tank size, diet, temperament, breeding).
  • Aquatic-Auctions is run by Etavonni Tech Limited trading as Aquatic-Auctions (company number 10204188), Aldershot, Hampshire, UK. Contact: info@aquatic-auctions.com.