Vallisneria spiralis 'Ruffle'

Vallisneria spiralis 'Ruffle' is a cultivar selected for its distinctively crinkled or crisped leaf margins that run along the full length of each ribbon leaf, creating a ruffled effect that sets it apart visually from the plain-edged species. In a dense background planting the combined ruffled margins of many leaves create a rich, textured wall of foliage unlike any plain Vallisneria variety. It retains all the easy-going qualities of V. spiralis — tolerating hard, alkaline water, thriving without CO2, and spreading reliably by runners — while adding an element of ornamental refinement. It is an excellent choice for planted tanks where visual variety in background texture is desired.

Light: Low to medium (20–50 PAR); ruffling expressed consistently across a wide light range. CO2: Not required; grows well on ambient CO2 in any tap water. Fertilisation: Root tabs every 3–4 months; weekly liquid iron to maintain vivid green colour. Placement: Background in groups of 5–10; plant alongside plain-leaved Vallisneria for textural contrast. Propagation: Runners produced freely; sever daughter plants and replant throughout the background.