Vallisneria Spiralis

Plant Profile:

• Scientific Name: Vallisneria spiralis
• Common Name: Straight Vallisneria, Tape Grass, Vallis
• Origin: Southern Europe, North Africa, Asia
• Height: 30–60+ cm (12–24+ inches)
• pH: 6.0–8.0
• Care: Easy
• Light: Low to High (adapts well)
• CO₂: Not required
• Propagation: Runners — sends out shoots that develop new plants
• Growth Rate: Fast

Notes:

Vallisneria spiralis is a classic, hardy background plant ideal for beginners. It features long, ribbon-like leaves that grow vertically toward the surface. Despite the name “spiralis,” the leaves are typically straight or only slightly twisted (unlike Vallisneria asiatica or corkscrew types).

Ideal for:

• Creating a tall, grass-like backdrop
• Natural or jungle-style aquascapes
• Low-tech or high-tech tanks

Care tips:

• Avoid shading the crown (base) to prevent rot
• Trim by cutting leaves near the base, not the tops
• Can quickly form a dense colony through runners