Cryptocoryne ciliata 'Dwarf'

The dwarf form of Cryptocoryne ciliata maintains the same hardiness and remarkable brackish water tolerance of the standard species while growing to a noticeably more modest size. Leaves are broad and oval, produced on shorter petioles, keeping the plant well within the midground height range of most aquariums. It adapts equally well to freshwater and slightly saline conditions and tolerates a wide range of hardness levels. Like the standard form, it is an ideal candidate for biotope aquariums representing coastal freshwater or tidal zones. Its more manageable size also makes it suitable for smaller aquariums than the full-sized species.

Light: Low to moderate; undemanding and tolerant of variable light conditions. CO2: Not required; well-suited to low-tech and brackish setups without CO2. Fertilisation: Root tabs beneficial; tolerates moderately hard, mineral-rich water. Placement: Midground; works well in both paludarium and fully submerged aquarium use. Propagation: Produces runners; separate rooted daughter plants to expand the colony.