Plants
Cryptocoryne blassii
Cryptocoryne cordata var. blassii
Origin: Cryptocoryne blassii is found in swamps and streams of southern Thailand, Malaysia, and Borneo. It is a popular form of the variable species Cryptocoryne cordata.
Also known as: Cryptocoryne cordata var. blassii
Fact sheet
- Height
- 30 cm
- Temperature
- 22–28 °C
- pH
- 6–7.5
- Lighting
- Low
- CO₂
- Not needed
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Placement
- Midground, Background
Overview
Cryptocoryne blassii is one of the most popular and undemanding forms of Cryptocoryne cordata, prized for its large broad leaves with an olive-brown top and a wine-red underside. It is a hardy mid- and background plant that grows under low light without CO2. It forms large rosettes and spreads over time by runners. Like all crypts it dislikes frequent moving and may 'melt' under sudden changes, but then recovers.
Appearance
A rosette of leaves on long petioles: the blade is broadly ovate-cordate, 10–20 cm long. The top is olive or greenish-brown, the underside wine-red or purple. Height is 20–30 cm. It produces runners with daughter rosettes.
Care
Undemanding: low to moderate light, 22–28 °C, pH 6.0–7.5, a wide hardness range. CO2 is not required but improves growth. Nutrient-rich substrate is needed. Once established it dislikes being moved.
Fertilizing
It feeds mainly through roots: nutrient-rich substrate and root tabs matter. Liquid fertilisers supplement. Moderate nutrient demand.
Breeding
It propagates by runners with daughter rosettes, separated once rooted. It spreads gradually.
Fun facts
Blassii is the most popular form of Cryptocoryne cordata in the hobby. The wine-red underside of the large leaves gives an expressive contrast. In trade it is usually labelled 'Cryptocoryne cordata var. blassii'.