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- Vendor: Squeaky's Aquatics
Italian Val (Vallisneria spiralis)
Italian Val (Vallisneria spiralis) is a fast-growing background grass that sends up long ribbon leaves and quickly spreads by runners into a lush green jungle wall. It is one of the most forgiving aquarium plants you can grow, thriving without CO2 across a very wide range of temperatures and water hardness, which makes it a favorite for beginners and big display tanks alike. Browse the rest of our live freshwater plants to fill in your aquascape.
Care Guide
- Planting: set the white roots in the substrate but keep the crown (the pale base where leaves emerge) right at the surface. Burying the crown causes rot.
- Spreading: it multiplies by sending out runners. Let daughter plants root to build a back wall, or snip runners to control the spread.
- Trimming: trim over-long leaves at the base rather than cutting across the tips, which browns cut edges.
- Water: tolerates hard, alkaline water and cooler tanks better than most plants, so it suits goldfish and unheated setups.
- CO2: not required.
Specifications
| Scientific Name | Vallisneria spiralis |
| Common Names | Italian Val, Straight Vallisneria, Eelgrass |
| Care Level | Beginner |
| Placement | Background |
| Height | 12 to 24 inches |
| Lighting | Low to moderate |
| CO2 | Not required |
| Temperature | 64 to 82°F |
| pH | 6.5 to 8.5 |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Origin | Southern Europe and Asia |
| Sold As | Potted |
| Pickup | In-store pickup only |
Compatibility
Italian Val works with nearly all community fish and is one of the few plants hardy enough for goldfish tanks. It provides excellent cover and oxygenation and pairs well with Amano Shrimp, cherry shrimp, and snails. Only heavy substrate-diggers tend to disturb it.
Recommended Foods & Supplies
- Seachem Flourish comprehensive fertilizer
- Seachem Flourish Tabs for root feeding
- Anacharis, another fast-growing companion (if in stock)
- More freshwater aquarium plants
FAQ
How tall does it get? Leaves commonly reach 12 to 24 inches and will lie along the surface in shorter tanks. Trim long leaves at the base to control height.
Will it take over my tank? It spreads readily by runners. That fills a background fast, but pull unwanted daughter plants to keep it in bounds.
Is it good for goldfish or cold water? Yes, it is hardier and more cold-tolerant than most aquarium plants.
Why did my cut leaf tips turn brown? Vallisneria dislikes having its blades trimmed across. Remove whole leaves at the base instead.
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Italian Val (Vallisneria spiralis)
