Cryptocoryne pontederiifolia

Cryptocoryne pontederiifolia is a marsh aroid known only from the northern part of Sumatra's west coast in Indonesia, where it grows with the nipa palm in the freshwater tidal zone; it has also been introduced to Singapore, where it grows in swampy ground along forest streams. It has been established in European aquaria for decades. Broad, partly hammered leaves, often brownish to faintly violet especially beneath, identify it. The closely related C. moehlmannii from the same area is very similar, but in traded forms its leaves are always light to olive green, never brownish, and its spathe is dark purple inside with a narrow collar (in C. pontederiifolia the spathe is sulphur-yellow or reddish inside with a broad, tall collar); recent collections show more variation in these flower characters. It tolerates a wide range of water. After planting it takes a few weeks to recover before growing fairly quickly, and unlike most Crypts it rarely suffers crypt melt. It suits the mid- or background of medium to large tanks and is regularly available in Japanese specialist shops.

The Cryptocoryne pontederiifolia grows to Taller with long petioles in low light; compact under strong light and CO2.

The ideal temperature for the Cryptocoryne pontederiifolia is 22〜25℃.

Grows without CO2; additions keep it compact