Want a foreground carpet that never needs trimming? Cryptocoryne parva is the smallest true Crypt in the hobby — short narrow green rosettes that spread by runner into a neat low carpet, and grow slowly enough that you can leave them alone for months.
What You’ll Receive
Fresh, healthy Cryptocoryne Parva cultivated and prepared by Aquarium Plants Factory®, available in convenient planting formats:
- Small Bare-root Portion: One healthy bare-root division with an established root system and multiple leaves, ready to plant directly into your aquarium.
- Rooted Potted Plant: One healthy rooted plant securely grown in a nursery pot with rockwool for easy planting and faster establishment.
- These pest-free, young plants were grown in a lab before transitioning ex-vitro for maximum hardiness. Expect natural variations in their initial size and color as they settle in and mature in your tank!
Plant Profile
- Common name — Parva Crypt, Crypt Parva
- Scientific name — Cryptocoryne parva
- Origin — Sri Lanka
- Placement — Foreground
- Mature height — 1–3 in
- Growth rate — Slow
Care
- Difficulty — Beginner
- Light — Low to medium
- CO₂ — Not required! One of the very few carpets that works in a low-tech tank
- Water — 72–82°F · pH 6.5–7.5
- Feeding — Root feeder; nutrient substrate or root tabs matter here
- Propagation — Substrate runners
Grower’s Notes
- Patience is the whole job. Parva is the slowest carpeting plant we sell — a full foreground takes the better part of a year. In exchange it holds its shape without trimming and lasts for years.
- Plant individual portions with a little space between crowns and let the runners fill in. Packed tight, they shade each other before they spread.
- Expect it to melt after planting. Crypts drop their leaves on a change of conditions, then regrow from the roots over two to four weeks. Leave it alone through that.
- Feed at the roots. In inert gravel it survives but never builds the dense carpet you bought it for.
- Place it once. Crypts melt again every time they are moved, and Parva is slow enough that a second melt costs months.
Want to go deeper? Read our complete Cryptocoryne Care Guide.
Notes
- Photos are for reference; leaf size, count and color vary with lighting and nutrients. Most plants are grown emersed and change appearance as they convert to submerged growth.
- 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.
Customers praised this aquatic plant for arriving healthy and matching product photos. The plants establish well, developing roots and runners to create carpet effects. However, some shoppers noted size concerns, with bare root versions being smaller than expected and occasionally difficult to plant due to short roots.
- They put down a lot of roots and runners and will give you that carpet you're craving.
- They arrived in excellent condition and right now they are striving on the new tank.
- Great quality plants, healthy and good roots.
N
They arrived in excellent condition and right now they are striving on the new tank. They look healthy
G
Love Parva they grow small and I like to patch empty tank corners and next to rocks
B
Crypt parva was the only letdown on my order. While the plants had a lot of leaves, the roots were almost too short to make planting viable. Each plant was probably the size of a quarter. I was hoping to get a couple more clusters for the price as well. Almost always satisfied with my orders, but this could have been better. I have gotten better parva from APF in the past so I might have better luck next time. Loved everything else with my order.
O
these are so cute and i'm so happy with them. another W from aquarium plants factory with the quality.
R
My baby's arrival was fast 2 days from order.
I love how plants look and "feel" very healthy.
Got them on sale and buy2get1, they arrived and now I am sorry....should get 6 more. Check pics every pack head 1 extra little plant.
Got a lot of plants unfortunately they didn't send me flamingo crypt that was free gift with code PINKBIRD.
Great quality plants, healthy and good roots.
Order before sales end.
C
One month in and all plants are looking great. Only had a little melt to get started but now everything is fully healthy and growing already.
W
Looks great and pulled apart nicely, we will see how it grows!
M
Just like the picture
M
Just like pictures
B
Product arrived healthy and in good shape. While I ordered this as a bare root, it certainly feels like it came from a tissue culture given leaf size and gel on the roots. Overall I am very satisfied with the product but keep in mind these are very small and about half the size of potted Parva. If I reordered I would pay extra for a potted version.
S
Cryptocoryne Parva
M
Cryptocoryne Parva
A
These take some time to establish, but they really do put down a lot of roots and runners and will give you that carpet you’re craving. Buy lots of them! You’ll need them and love the instant effect.
L
Large, healthy portion!
F
Look no further aquarium plants factory is the best. They never disappoint me , it’s my 4th order from them. Everything package well , Tons of fresh plants.
J
Amazing plant and amazing store.
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