Wendt's cryptocoryne (Cryptocoryne wendtii) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Wendt's water trumpet, Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Tropica', Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Green', Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Mi Oya', Green wendtii, Red wendtii
Family
Araceae (arum family)
Origin
Sri Lanka; introduced to Florida
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
30 cm
Temperature
22–28°C
pH
6–8
Hardness
Wide range, if kept stable
Care level
beginner
Lighting
Low light is enough (grows best in good light); CO2 not needed

Care

Cryptocoryne wendtii is a Sri Lankan crypt and one of the most popular and robust aquarium plants. It is extremely variable: leaf colour, shape and texture change with light, nutrients and water, and natural differences in chromosome numbers give many forms. Tropica sells 'Tropica' (dark, hammered leaves, named after the nursery), 'Green' and 'Mi Oya' (named after a Sri Lankan river). Plant it in the foreground or midground. 'Tropica' reaches 10–20 cm, with leaves 10–20 cm long that spread almost flat over open ground; The Aquarium Wiki gives up to 30 cm tall and 20 cm wide. Tropica rates it easy, with low light and CO2 needs and medium growth; it does even better with good light and fertilising. Like other Sri Lankan crypts it grows well in hard water. The Aquarium Wiki gives 22–28 °C and pH 6–8, and says any hardness is fine as long as it is kept stable. Sudden changes can trigger crypt melt, from which it recovers. Sources: Tropica (tropica.com/en/plants); The Aquarium Wiki (theaquariumwiki.com/wiki/Cryptocorynewendtii); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptocorynewendtii); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Spreads by runners from the rhizome, gradually forming a dense clump; cut off and replant daughter plants.

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. A good choice for low-tech community tanks and for slow-growing plant layouts with Anubias and Java fern.

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

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