Cryptocoryne Willisii

Quick facts

Identity

Also known as

Willisii Crypt; Cryptocoryne lucens (similar species)

Synonyms

Cryptocoryne lutea; Crypt lutea

Environment

Freshwater

Native to

Sri Lanka

Habitat

Shaded streams and muddy banks in the central highlands of Sri Lanka; submersed during wet season and emersed as water levels drop

Sourcing

Captive-bred

Conservation

Not Evaluated

Care

Care level

Easy

Growth form

Rosette

Max height

3 – 6 in (7.6 – 15 cm)

Spread

4 in (10 cm)

Growth rate

Slow

Placement

Foreground, Midground

Water

Temperature

68 – 82 °F (20 – 28 °C)

pH

6.0 – 7.5

GH

2 – 15 dGH

Flow

Low

Light

Low

CO₂

Beneficial

Planting

Substrate

Nutrient-rich preferred

Feeds from

Roots

Fertilizer needs

Low

Colors

Green, Brown

Feeding & breeding

Propagation

Runners, Rhizome division

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Care guide

Overview

Narrow, bright emerald-green leaves grow in neat, compact rosettes reminiscent of Cryptocoryne lucens. This low-growing crypt settles into low-tech foreground or midground plantings once rooted, tolerating a wide range of water hardness. Growth stays slow and undemanding, but the rhizome should stay put once planted to avoid triggering melt.

Care

A compact, undemanding crypt that suits low-tech setups once it has settled in. It tolerates a wide swing in hardness and does fine without CO2, though a bit of extra light and gas will speed up its naturally slow pace. The main rule with this plant is to leave it alone after planting, since crypts respond poorly to being uprooted or moved between tanks.

Planting & trimming

Plant the rhizome shallowly in a nutrient-rich substrate with the crown left exposed, spacing individual crowns a few inches apart to allow for runner spread. Avoid disturbing the plant once established, since crypts are notably sensitive to being uprooted or relocated. Trimming is limited to removing old or melted leaves at the base as the clump fills in.

Fertilizing

Most nutrient uptake happens through the roots rather than the water column, so root tabs or a nutrient-rich substrate layer are more useful than heavy liquid dosing. Growth is slow and demand is low overall, but stalled or pale new leaves usually mean the root zone has run out of nutrients. Iron supplementation can help if new leaves come in unusually small or discolored.

Propagation

Propagates readily through underground runners that send up new plantlets at a short distance from the parent. Once a daughter plant has developed its own roots and a few leaves it can be separated from the runner and replanted elsewhere. Division of an established rhizome clump is also possible but slower to recover than runner propagation.

Problems

Crypt melt is common after planting or after a sudden change in water chemistry, with leaves turning translucent and collapsing within days. The rhizome and root system typically survive this and push out a fresh set of submersed leaves within a few weeks if left undisturbed. Poor flow or a buildup of algae on the older leaves can also slow recovery, so gentle circulation around the base helps.

Sources

1. Cryptocoryne walkeri Lutea care: light, CO2 and placement · TankBud
2. Cryptocoryne Lutea (Cryptocoryne walkeri var. lutea) Care Guide & Plant Profile | Guidarium
3. Willisii Crypt Aquarium Plant Profile | TankFlare

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