Vallisneria asiatica

Vallisneria asiatica is distributed across much of East and Southeast Asia, inhabiting lakes, rice paddies, rivers, and coastal brackish waterways. Its leaves are intermediate in width between V. spiralis and V. americana, bearing distinctly toothed margins that catch the light and add fine detail. It is especially well suited to hard-water tanks including cichlid setups and community tanks with high carbonate hardness, where it remains healthy and vigorous. Growth is rapid under low to medium light without CO2, and the plant spreads steadily by runners. Its adaptability to a wide range of temperatures makes it a useful choice for subtropical and tropical setups alike.

Light: Low to medium (20–50 PAR); adaptable to a wide range of lighting conditions. CO2: Not required; flourishes in CO2-free, nutrient-rich water. Fertilisation: Root tabs every 3–4 months; weekly liquid fertiliser for iron and trace elements. Placement: Plant in dense rows across the background; particularly effective in hard-water biotopes. Propagation: Runners form readily; daughter plants establish quickly and can be moved freely.