Vallisneria Nana

Quick facts

Identity

Also known as

Narrow-leaf val; Dwarf val; Native val; Nana vallis

Synonyms

Vallisneria sp. 'Nana'

Environment

Freshwater

Native to

Australia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Cambodia, New Caledonia

Habitat

Slow-moving rivers, streams, and billabongs with clear water and sandy or muddy substrate in tropical northern Australia and nearby regions

Sourcing

Aquacultured

Conservation

Not Evaluated

Care

Care level

Easy

Growth form

Rosette

Max height

6 – 16 in (15 – 41 cm)

Spread

4 in (10 cm)

Growth rate

Fast

Placement

Background, Midground

Water

Temperature

68 – 82 °F (20 – 28 °C)

pH

6.5 – 8.0

GH

3 – 18 dGH

PAR

30 – 80 PAR

Flow

Low-Moderate

Light

Medium

CO₂

Beneficial

Planting

Substrate

Nutrient-rich preferred

Feeds from

Roots

Fertilizer needs

Medium

Colors

Green

Feeding & breeding

Propagation

Runners

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Care guide

Overview

Thin, grass-like ribbons set this val apart from bulkier Vallisneria species, giving it a texture closer to tall hairgrass. Grown as a background rosette, it sends out runners to fill in a dense curtain over time, rooting deep and drawing nutrients mainly through the substrate. It grows quickly under moderate light and tolerates a broad range of water parameters.

Care

Narrow ribbon leaves give this val a finer, grassier texture than common Vallisneria species, making it a good fit for backgrounds in smaller and mid-size aquariums as well as larger tanks. It tolerates a wide swing of pH and hardness and does not require CO2 injection, though supplementation speeds growth and produces denser stands. Provide moderate to intense lighting for compact growth; under weak light the leaves stretch and become thinner. Avoid trimming leaf tips, since cut ends brown back — remove whole leaves at the base instead if length needs to be managed.

Planting & trimming

Push the fibrous roots into the substrate while keeping the white crown at or just above the surface, since burying the crown causes the plant to push itself back up over several days. Space small clusters of 5-10 plants for a fuller curtain effect along the back or sides of the tank. Runners will fill in gaps on their own once established, so initial spacing can be modest.

Fertilizing

Feeds primarily through its root system, so nutrient-rich substrate or root tabs placed near the crown are the most effective way to supply iron and other nutrients. Liquid fertilizers help too, especially in tanks without much fish waste to draw on. Pale or yellowing new leaves usually point to iron deficiency and respond well to root tab dosing.

Propagation

Spreads readily by sending out horizontal runners that produce new plantlet rosettes, which can be left attached to form a dense colony or separated and replanted once they have their own root systems. Propagation from leaf clusters or offshoots without substrate is also possible, though rooted growth is more reliable long-term.

Problems

Glutaraldehyde-based liquid carbon products (such as Excel) can cause rapid melting and decay in this species, so they should be avoided or used at reduced dosing. Iron deficiency shows up as pale or chlorotic new growth. New plantings often pause for a few weeks while converting from emersed nursery growth to submersed leaves, and the thinner leaves that follow are normal rather than a sign of decline.

Sources

1. Vallisneria nana – AquaInfo
2. Dwarf vallisneria care: light, CO2 and placement · TankBud
3. Dwarf vallisneria (Vallisneria nana) Aquatic Plant Care | Atlarium
4. Nana Vallis (Vallisneria nana) - The Aquarium Wiki

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