Plants

Cryptocoryne nurii

IntermediateFreshwater

Origin: Cryptocoryne nurii comes from the Malay Peninsula and Borneo, where it grows in shaded forest streams and seasonally flooded areas with soft, acidic water.

Also known as: Cryptocoryne nurii

Fact sheet

Height: 20 cm
Temperature: 22–28 °C
pH: 6–7.5
Lighting: Medium
CO₂: Recommended
Growth rate: Slow
Placement: Midground

Overview

Cryptocoryne nurii is a decorative crypt with broad leaves that often show a dark pattern or marbling, with a wavy edge. Its attractive foliage makes it an interesting midground plant, though it is less common in cultivation than the mass-market crypts. It prefers soft water and shade. It grows slowly under moderate light; CO2 improves growth and colour. Like all crypts it is sensitive to sudden changes and may 'melt', but regrows from the rhizome.

Appearance

A rosette of petioled leaves: the blade is oblong-ovate or lanceolate, often with a dark marbled pattern and a wavy edge, 10–18 cm long. Colour ranges from olive-green to brownish. Height is 15–25 cm. It produces runners with daughter rosettes.

Care

Moderate light, 22–28 °C, pH 6.0–7.5, soft water. CO2 is recommended for better growth and pattern. Nutrient-rich substrate is needed. It prefers shade and stable conditions and dislikes being moved.

Fertilizing

It feeds mainly through roots: nutrient-rich substrate and root tabs matter. Iron and micronutrients support the pattern and colour. Moderate nutrient demand.

Breeding

It propagates by runners with daughter rosettes, separated once rooted. As a slow grower it spreads gradually.

Fun facts

The dark marbled leaf pattern is a characteristic trait of Cryptocoryne nurii. The species prefers soft, acidic water, like many crypts of the Malay Peninsula. It is less common in cultivation than the mass-market species.