Cryptocoryne becketii

Cryptocoryne becketii is native to Sri Lanka where it grows in shaded rivers with moderate flow and variable water hardness. Its broadly lance-shaped leaves display a characteristic hammered or corrugated texture and range from olive-green to brownish-purple depending on light and nutrient levels. It is among the most widely available Cryptocoryne species and justifiably one of the most popular, adapting comfortably to both soft and moderately hard water. It forms compact clumps and spreads slowly via underground runners.

Light: Low to medium; colours deepen slightly under medium light. CO2: Not required; optional for faster growth. Substrate: Nutrient-rich substrate or regular root tab supplementation. Planting: Expose crown; space 8–12 cm apart; ideal in groups of 3–5 plants. Growth: Slow; spreads via runners — remove offsets to control spread or propagate.