- Sku: PLANT-JUNVAL
- Vendor: Squeaky's Aquatics
Jungle Val (Vallisneria americana) - Bunch
Jungle Val (Vallisneria americana) is the giant of the Vallisneria family, with long, flat ribbon leaves that easily reach the surface of a standard tank and then keep going. It spreads on its own by runners, so a few plants turn into a dense, swaying wall of green across the back of the tank. It is about as easy as aquarium plants get: low light, no CO2, and happy in hard water where many plants struggle. Build the rest of the layout from our live freshwater plants.
Care Guide
- Separate the bunch and plant each one. Remove the band or weight holding the bunch together. Plant each plant so the roots are in the substrate and the crown, where the leaves meet the roots, sits right at the surface. A buried crown rots.
- Light: low to moderate. It is one of the best plants for basic lighting.
- CO2: not required.
- Avoid liquid carbon. Vallisneria is known for melting when dosed with glutaraldehyde products such as Seachem Excel. If you use one, skip it in a tank with vals.
- Fertilizer: a root feeder. Place Seachem Flourish Tabs near the base of the plants every few months.
- Water: 64 to 82°F, pH 6.5 to 8.0. It tolerates hard, alkaline water well.
- Expect some early melt. Leaves damaged in shipping may yellow and die back in the first couple of weeks. Trim them off. Runners and new leaves follow once it roots in.
Specifications
| Botanical name | Vallisneria americana |
| Common names | Jungle Val, Giant Val, Tape Grass, Eelgrass |
| Plant type | Rosette plant that spreads by runners |
| Experience level | Beginner friendly |
| Light requirement | Low to moderate |
| CO2 | Not required |
| Placement | Background |
| Mature height | 24 in to 6 ft, trails along the surface in shorter tanks |
| Growth rate | Moderate to fast once established |
| Water temperature | 64 to 82°F |
| pH | 6.5 to 8.0 |
| Propagation | Runners, cut and replant the daughter plants |
| Origin | Wide native range, including eastern North America |
| Sold as | One bunch of plants |
| Pickup | In-store pickup only |
Placement and Companions
Where it goes: along the back glass of tall tanks, 40 gallons and up is ideal. In a shorter tank the leaves will reach the top and lie across the surface, which can shade the plants below. Trim long leaves at the base when that happens.
Other easy tall plants: Anacharis and Hornwort are fast, forgiving bunch plants for the same job, and Amazon Sword makes a strong centerpiece in front of a val wall.
Fish and invertebrates: the long leaves give fry and shy fish cover, and it suits livebearers, many cichlids and hard water community tanks. Safe with shrimp and snails. Goldfish may nibble it.
Recommended Supplies
- Seachem Flourish Tabs: root tabs for this root feeder.
- CaribSea Eco-Complete: a nutrient-rich substrate.
- Seachem Flourish: a gentle water column fertilizer.
- Hornwort: a fast, easy background partner.
FAQ
My vals are melting. What happened?
The two usual causes are transplant stress in the first couple of weeks, which passes, and liquid carbon products, which vals often cannot tolerate. Trim the dead leaves, stop any liquid carbon, and give it time to root in.
How tall does it get?
Tall. Leaves regularly reach several feet, so in most tanks they will reach the surface and trail. Trim individual leaves at the base to control it.
How do I get it to spread?
Healthy plants send out runners with new daughter plants on their own. Feed the roots with root tabs and do not bury the crowns.
Does it need soft water?
No. Vallisneria handles hard, alkaline water better than most aquarium plants.
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Jungle Val (Vallisneria americana) - Bunch
