Cryptocoryne petchii

Cryptocoryne petchii is a small, rosette-forming aquatic plant from Sri Lanka, often considered a variant or cultivar of Cryptocoryne beckettii. It's prized for its wavy, lance-shaped leaves that range from green to brownish-red, making it ideal for the foreground to midground in aquascapes.

It’s one of the most beginner-friendly Crypts, thriving in a wide range of setups, including low-tech tanks.

Cryptocoryne petchii – Care Guide

Quick Facts

• Type: Rosette (root feeder)

• Growth Rate: Slow to moderate

• Leaf Shape: Narrow, wavy, lanceolate

• Color: Green, reddish-brown, bronze (varies with lighting/nutrients)

• Height: 7–15 cm (3–6 inches)

• Placement: Foreground or midground

• Origin: Sri Lanka (often treated as C. beckettii variant)

Water Parameters

• Temperature: 22–28°C (72–82°F)

• pH: 6.0–7.5

• Hardness: Soft to moderately hard

• CO₂: Not required, but improves growth rate and coloration

Lighting

• Level: Low to medium

• Low light: Plant remains greener and more compact

• Medium light: Can develop reddish hues and more leaf texture

• High light: Not necessary; too much can encourage algae

Substrate & Planting

• Substrate: Nutrient-rich preferred (aquasoil or sand/gravel with root tabs)

• Planting: Bury roots but keep the crown above the substrate

• Spacing: Allow a few centimeters between rosettes

Fertilization

• Root feeding is critical

  • Use aquasoil or supplement with root tabs every 1–2 months

• Water column fertilizers: Optional, but help overall health

• Iron: Encourages reddish coloration

⏳ Growth Behavior

• Grows slowly but steadily once established

• Forms a tight rosette with 4–10+ leaves

• Can produce runners and small daughter plants over time

✂️ Maintenance & Propagation

• Trimming: Cut away damaged or old leaves at the base

• Propagation: Through runners; separate and replant once rooted

• Crypt melt risk: Low, but can still occur after planting or major changes

⚠️ Common Issues

Tank Compatibility

• Safe for: Shrimp, snails, peaceful fish

• Ideal for: Low-tech tanks, community tanks, beginner aquascapes

• Not recommended with: Large or destructive fish (e.g. goldfish)

✅ Tips for Success

• Once planted, avoid disturbing it—Crypts dislike being moved

• Use in small groups for a bushy look in the mid- or foreground

• Let it adapt—it may look slow at first, but stabilizes over time

• Keep water parameters stable to prevent melt or shock