Vallisneria Americana

Want Vallisneria that won't take over the tank? Corkscrew Val stays 8 to 12 inches instead of running to the surface, and twists its blades along their whole length into tight spirals. Of our three twisted Vals, this is the one with the widest blade — the spirals read boldly rather than as fine threads. What You’ll Receive Sold as loose fresh-cut plants, bunched plants, or potted plants: Bare-root Plants: Approximately 2–3 individual loose, bare-root plants Bunched Plants: Approximately 2–3 individual bare-root plants bundled with foam and a plant weight Potted Plants: Approximately 2–3 individual bare-root plants potted in rockwool and net pot Plant Profile Common name — Corkscrew Val, also known as Twisted Val Scientific name — Vallisneria americana 'Asiatica' Origin — Asia (this cultivar); the species is North American Placement — Midground, or foreground in a large tank Shipped size — Approx. 2-3 bare-root plants, roughly 4-8 in Mature height — 8–12 in Suits — 10 gallons and up Growth rate — Fast Care Difficulty — Beginner Light — Low to medium. Brighter light tightens the spiral CO₂ — Not required Water — 68–82°F · pH 6.5–8.0. Tolerates hard, alkaline water well Substrate — Required. Root feeder — nutrient substrate or root tabs Growth habit — Fully aquatic Propagation — Substrate runners Grower’s Notes Wide blades, mid height. Jungle Val and spiralis keep growing until they hit the surface and trail along it. 'Asiatica' tops out around a foot, which is why it works where taller Vallisneria would swamp the layout. Plant the crown at the substrate line, never below it. A buried crown rots — the usual reason a new Val fails in the first fortnight. Feed at the roots. In inert gravel it survives but barely spreads; root tabs are what turn three plants into a colony. Don't trim the tops to control height. Cut Val leaves brown at the cut and stay that way. Remove whole leaves at the base instead. Runners travel fast. Pull unwanted plantlets by hand rather than cutting, and expect to thin it every month or two once established. Choosing between our twisted Vallisneria Vallisneria torta — shortest, 4–8 in. Foreground, midground and nano tanks. Vallisneria americana 'Asiatica' (this plant) — 8–12 in, with a wider twisted blade. Vallisneria 'Contortionist' — 10–20 in, with a narrower twisted blade. Background. Want the tall straight-leaved version instead? See Vallisneria Spiralis (Jungle Val), which reaches 20–36 in. Want to go deeper? Read our complete Vallisneria Care Guide. Notes Leaf twist intensity and colouration may vary slightly depending on lighting and nutrients. Some initial melting is normal upon introduction. Stable conditions promote quick propagation and healthy regrowth. Never release aquarium plants into natural waterways.