Want movement from a Crypt? Cryptocoryne retrospiralis grows tall, narrow, reddish-brown leaves that sway with the current — planted as a group in decent flow it behaves like a Vallisneria curtain, but with a Crypt's color and a Crypt's tolerance for hard water.
What You’ll Receive
- Sold as loose Bare-root plants, Bunched plants, or Potted plants
- Young plants grow in a controlled laboratory environment
- Bare-root plants | Approx. 1-2loose bare-roots plants
- Bunched plants | Approx. 1-2 stems with root, bundled with foam, and lead weight
- Potted plants | Approx. 1-2 stems with root, potted with net pot and rockwool
Plant Profile
- Common name — Retrospiralis Crypt, also known as Spiral Water Trumpet
- Scientific name — Cryptocoryne retrospiralis
- Also known as — Spiral Water Trumpet
- Origin — India
- Placement — Background
- Shipped size — Approx. 1-2 plants, well short of mature height
- Mature height — 10–16 in
- Suits — 20 gallons and up
- Growth rate — Slow
Care
- Difficulty — Beginner
- Light — Low to medium. Brighter light deepens the reddish-brown
- CO₂ — Not required
- Water — 72–82°F · pH 6.5–7.5. Hard water suits it, as it does most Crypts
- Substrate — Required. Root feeder — nutrient substrate or root tabs
- Growth habit — Amphibious. Also grows emersed
- Propagation — Substrate runners
Grower’s Notes
- Plant it in a group, in flow. A single specimen is unremarkable; several planted together where there is current is where the swaying effect comes from, and that is the whole reason to choose this over a broader-leaved Crypt.
- Expect it to melt after planting. Crypts drop their leaves on a change of conditions and rebuild from the roots over two to four weeks. Leave it alone through that.
- Feed at the roots and place it once. Crypts melt again every time they are moved.
- Hard water is no obstacle. Cryptocoryne generally do well in harder water than most planted-tank species — if stem plants have disappointed you in hard tap water, Crypts are the group to try.
- Slow to start, then steady. Once established it spreads by runner into a background stand.
Not to be confused with Cryptocoryne spiralis 'Red', which is a different species we stock separately.
Want the ribbon-leaved green version? See Cryptocoryne Balansae, or the striped Cryptocoryne spiralis 'Tiger'.
Want to go deeper? Read our complete Cryptocoryne Care Guide.
Notes
- Pictures are not the actual plants you will receive, but a sample representation. Unless specific, we don't guarantee aquatic plants will be free of pests, and pesticides, grow emerged, or submerge.
- 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 these aquarium plants as "healthy and robust" with minimal melting. Plants arrived in excellent condition, described as "firm and healthy" even after delays. Shoppers noted resilience in low-tech tanks. Some received slight melting or slimy roots during shipping, but plants thrived regardless. Great value and quick delivery.
- Healthy and robust. Adjusting great to my low tech tank.
- They were all still firm and healthy when I put them in the tank.
- The plants I received were very large and healthy!
J
Arrived on 7/9/24. This is my first crypt, so I can't say much about it other than the leaves and roots arrived nice and green. Since I am still learning about aquarium plants, I decided I better plant them in a pot, so I can shift them around the tank without disturbing roots. I assume they will melt back. One of my shrimp almost immediately swam over to inspect!
t
Came as described. Have ordered this a couple times now Had some nasty slime covered roots both times however it's a really resilient plant and thrive regardless with almost no melt
C
Beautiful, healthy plants, this is my second time ordering from APF, and in both cases I have been very happy. Plants arrived quickly and in great condition. The prices are great too!
J
Order 2 for 3. Got a total of 12 stems. Very slight melting, but they did there best. The were shipped with a water logged strip wrapped around the roots. Some were small (~3 inches) but most were closer to ~6 or 7".
D
I couldn’t plant them for three days after I got them and they were all still firm and healthy when I put them in the tank.
A
Cryptocoryne Retrospiralis
K
Healthy and robust. Looked like they had just plucked them for shipping the day before. Adjusting great to my low tech tank as of a week later.
L
Plants were in perfect condition on arrival, and have barely melted back after several days.
K
This was my first time ordering from APF and I already feel like a loyal customer. The plants I received were very large and healthy!
A
Ordered 2 for the deal of a free 3rd. Got a total of 15 I think. They arrived a little melted and withered I think mostly because of the weather. But the root stumps seemed okay so I planted those in hope of recovery. Upon researching I found that crypts often melt in new tanks anyway and many trim all leaves off before planting anyway. So they should recover despite their condition upon arrival.
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