Jungle Val

Name: Jungle Val
SKU: 16017
Availability: InStock

₹70

A large, exceptionally hardy aquatic grass (Vallisneria americana) with long, ribbon-like, bright-green leaves that grow from the substrate. It reproduces rapidly via runners and is perfect for creating a dense, tall background jungle in medium to large aquariums.

Categories: ferns, Plants

Description

Key Characteristics of Jungle Val (Vallisneria americana)

Scientific Name: Vallisneria americana
Common Name: Jungle Vallisneria, Water Celery, Eel Grass, Tape Grass
Hardiness: Easy (Extremely robust and can withstand a wide range of water conditions and temperatures).
Appearance: Long, straight, ribbon-like leaves that are medium-to-bright green. The leaves grow from a central root crown and sway gently with the current.
Size & Growth: A giant species. Leaves can easily grow to 3–6 feet (1–2 meters) long, often reaching and resting on the water surface in standard aquariums. It has a fast growth rate.
Reproduction: Reproduces rapidly and aggressively via runners (stolons) that spread through the substrate, quickly forming a thick, dense colony.
Nutrient Requirement: Primarily a root feeder. It prefers a nutrient-rich substrate, often benefiting from root tabs.
Water Conditions: Unusually hardy, but it is one of the few popular plants that prefers hard, alkaline water (higher $\text{pH}$ and $\text{GH}$ ) compared to most tropical plants. It is even tolerant of low levels of salt/brackish water.
Lighting: Prefers moderate to high light. Low light will cause growth to stall and leaves to yellow or melt.
Planting: Plant the roots securely in the substrate (sand or gravel), but do not bury the crown (the base where the leaves emerge), as this will cause the plant to rot.
Placement: Essential background plant for large aquariums. Regular trimming (cutting off excess leaf length at the water surface) is often required to prevent it from blocking light from plants below.