Cryptocoryne Spiralis

Cryptocoryne spiralis looks nothing like the rest of the genus. Instead of broad wendtii-style leaves it sends up long, narrow ribbons that twist as they rise, giving the sway of Vallisneria with the low-light tolerance of a crypt. It is one of the few background plants that asks for no CO₂ and no strong lighting.

What You'll Receive

• Sold as a Bare-root Plants, or Potted Plants
• Young plants grow in a controlled laboratory environment

Plant Profile

• Common name — Spiralis Crypt
• Scientific name — Cryptocoryne spiralis
• Also known as — Spiral water trumpet, Indian crypt
• Origin — India and Sri Lanka
• Placement — Background
• Mature height — 8-14 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; plant the crown at substrate level
• Growth habit — Amphibious rosette, root feeder
• Propagation — Runners

Grower's Notes

• The melt is not the plant dying. Crypts shed their existing leaves after any move or parameter change and regrow from the crown. Leave the roots in place, resist replanting, and new submersed leaves appear in three to six weeks.
• It feeds through its roots. Water column dosing does little here. Root tabs or an enriched substrate under the crown are what produce full-length ribbon leaves rather than short, pale ones.
• Use it where Vallisneria would be too aggressive. Spiralis gives similar vertical movement in the background but spreads by slow runners instead of taking over a tank in a season.
• Leave it alone once established. Frequent uprooting resets the melt cycle. Choose the spot before planting and let the runners fill in around it.
• Stable water beats ideal water. Spiralis tolerates a wide pH and hardness range but reacts to sudden swings. Consistent weekly water changes matter more than hitting an exact number.

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.