Vallisneria americana
Wider, taller, hardier than Vallisneria spiralis — leaves can hit a metre in mature tanks and easily overflow on the surface. The right background plant for tall tanks (60 cm+). Tolerates harder, more alkaline water than most.
Jungle Vallisneria (Vallisneria americana) is a rosette aquatic plant for the background of a planted tank. It reaches 50–120 cm under good conditions and grows at a fast rate. Light: medium. CO₂: not required. Target 18–28 °C, pH 6.5–8.0, and 5–25 dGH. Substrate: Nutrient-rich + root tabs in inert substrate. Propagate via runners — sends plantlets across the substrate.
Care at a glance
Wider, taller, hardier than Vallisneria spiralis — leaves can hit a metre in mature tanks and easily overflow on the surface. The right background plant for tall tanks (60 cm+). Tolerates harder, more alkaline water than most.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated 1 min read
Part of our complete guide to the planted aquarium.
The parameters that decide whether jungle vallisneria fits in your tank.
Hydrocharitaceae
Rosette
Background
Nutrient-rich + root tabs in inert substrate
Runners — sends plantlets across the substrate
North and Central America
North and Central America
Tank-mate safety and the species this one is documented to thrive (or fail) alongside.
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
CO₂ requirement: not required. Light requirement: medium. Under stable injected CO₂ the plant grows at a fast rate.
Jungle Vallisneria (Vallisneria americana) needs medium light. Run a photoperiod of 6–8 hours; longer photoperiods invite algae unless CO₂ and dosing are dialled in.
Position: background. Substrate: Nutrient-rich + root tabs in inert substrate It typically reaches 50–120 cm.
Propagation method: Runners — sends plantlets across the substrate. Jungle Vallisneria is a rosette plant.
Target 18–28 °C, pH 6.5–8.0, and 5–25 dGH. Flow tolerance: medium.
Difficulty: 1/5. Almost unkillable, a solid first-tank choice.
A planted tank is a system. Pair this plant with one entry from each other pillar to plan the whole scape.
