Cryptocoryne Balansae Vitro Culture

Cryptocoryne balansae grows like Vallisneria and behaves like a crypt. Long ribbon leaves with a deeply hammered, puckered surface rise a foot or more and sway with the flow — all without CO₂ or strong lighting. It is the low-tech route to a moving green background.

What You'll Receive

• One (1) Vitro Culture® 4-inch bag of Cryptocoryne crispatula var. balansae
• Yield: Approximately 3–4 young plantlets, ready to plant into your aquascape

Plant Profile

• Common name — Balansae Crypt
• Scientific name — Cryptocoryne crispatula var. balansae
• Also known as — Crypt Balansae, Cryptocoryne balansae
• Origin — Southeast Asia
• Placement — Background
• Mature height — 12-20 inches
• Growth rate — Slow

Care

• Difficulty — Beginner
• Light — Low to medium
• CO₂ — Not required
• Water — 72-82°F, pH 6.5-7.5
• Substrate — Nutrient-rich soil or root tabs; this is a root feeder
• Growth habit — Amphibious rosette
• Propagation — Runners

Grower's Notes

• It handles hard, alkaline water better than most crypts. Balansae comes from limestone streams, so it suits tap water that other Cryptocoryne sulk in — a genuinely useful trait if your water is hard.
• Expect melt, then ribbon leaves. Tissue culture plantlets shed their emersed foliage as they convert. Leave the roots undisturbed; the long submersed leaves start appearing within three to six weeks.
• The hammered texture develops with age. Young leaves come out relatively smooth. The puckered, quilted surface — the reason to buy this over Vallisneria — shows on mature growth.
• Root tabs, not liquid dosing. A 12-20 inch leaf takes a lot of energy and crypts draw it from the substrate. Enriched soil or tabs under the crown are what produce full-length leaves.
• Plant the crown at substrate level and then leave it. Bury the roots only. Every replant restarts the melt cycle, so choose the position before planting and let the runners spread on their own.

Want to go deeper? Read our complete Cryptocoryne Care Guide.

Notes

• Pictures shown are for reference only. Actual plant size, shape, and color may vary depending on growing conditions. This Vitro Culture® bag is sealed for freshness—please follow proper sterilization and acclimation procedures upon opening.
• Never release aquarium plants into natural waterways.

At a glance

• Free shipping on orders of $150 or more (after discounts) within the contiguous United States, by USPS.
• Free thermal protection is included with every shipment, all year round.
• Processing: most orders leave us within 1 to 2 business days. Tracking is emailed when your order ships.
• USPS (2 to 5 business days) ships Monday through Saturday.
• UPS 2nd Day Air® ships Monday through Wednesday. Order by Tuesday at 6:00 AM Pacific Time for same-week delivery.
• UPS Next Day Air® ships Monday through Thursday. Order by Wednesday at 6:00 AM Pacific Time for same-week delivery.
• Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands and military addresses ship by USPS at a flat rate shown at checkout.
• Weather holds: during extreme heat or cold we may hold live orders until it's safe to ship.
• We ship within the United States only.

Please bring live plants indoors and unpack them the day they arrive. Every live order is covered by our 24-Hour Live Arrival Guarantee.

The complete rules, including lost packages and address issues, are in our Shipping Policy. If anything conflicts, that policy applies.

Every live order is backed by our 24-Hour Live Arrival Guarantee. If a plant arrives dead, we'll make it right.

How it works

• Tell us within 24 hours of the delivery time on your tracking.
• Send photos of the affected items in their original, unopened packaging, plus a photo of the shipping label, to hello@aquariumplantsfactory.com with your order number.
• We'll make it right with a replacement, store credit or refund for the affected item.

Good to know

• Some melting or yellowing as plants adjust from greenhouse to aquarium life is normal. They regrow from healthy roots and rhizomes.
• Please bring your package indoors and unpack it the day it arrives.
• Free promotional items and shipping charges are not covered.

The complete rules, including what's covered and what voids the guarantee, are in our Returns, Refunds & Live Arrival Guarantee. If anything conflicts, that policy applies.

Please review your state's regulations on restricted plants, as we are committed to not shipping plants that are restricted in your area. Do not release any plants into the wild or waterways, as this can harm local ecosystems by introducing invasive species.

Your cooperation in protecting the environment is appreciated. For continuously updated information, refer to the USDA State Noxious Weed list here.

Thank you for your responsible commitment to environmental preservation.