Asiatic Val (Vallisneria asiatica) in a ceramic ring. A hardy background rosette plant with spiraling ribbon leaves that sway in the current. Easy to grow, spreads by runners, and provides excellent cover for shrimp and fish.
$9.99
🌿 Introduction
Vallisneria asiatica, commonly called Asiatic Val, is a graceful background plant native to Asia. Its long, spiraling leaves sway with the current, bringing motion and natural structure to freshwater aquariums.
🌱 Plant Profile
Type: Rosette
Origin: Asia (streams and lakes across East & South Asia)
Position: Background
Growth Rate: Medium to fast
Lighting: Low to medium
CO₂: Not required (growth faster with CO₂)
Height / Spread: 12–20″ (30–50 cm); spreads via runners
Water Parameters: pH 6.0–8.0 · GH 3–12 · KH 2–8
✅ Care Summary
Plant in 2–3″ of substrate for firm root anchoring.
Space rosettes a few inches apart; it propagates naturally by runners.
Trim aging leaves and thin runners to prevent overcrowding.
Adaptable to a range of water types; avoid sudden parameter swings to minimize melt.
Excellent background filler and cover for shrimp and fry.
Terrarium/Paludarium: Can be grown emersed in shallow water under high humidity.
🌿 Q&A
Q: How do I plant Asiatic Val when it arrives?
A: It comes with a ceramic ring and foam base. You can simply drop it into your tank like that and leave it until roots develop, or until you’re ready to remove the ring and plant it directly in the substrate.
Q: Does Asiatic Val need CO₂ injection?
A: No, it grows fine without CO₂. Supplementing CO₂ boosts growth speed and leaf length.
Q: How do I keep it from spreading everywhere?
A: Trim runners regularly and remove extra plantlets to maintain the desired footprint.
Q: Is it safe with shrimp and snails?
A: Yes, Asiatic Val is safe for all invertebrates and provides excellent cover.
| Feature | Example in the Wild |
|---|---|
| Water Type | Slow-moving rivers, streams, and lake margins |
| Substrate | Fine sand, silt, or mud with organic detritus |
| Depth / Light | Shallow to mid-depth (1–6 ft); good light penetration |
| Temperature | 68–80°F (20–27°C) |
| pH Range | 6.5–7.6 (neutral to slightly acidic/alkaline) |
| Fauna – Fish | Small cyprinids (rasboras, barbs), loaches, minnows, gouramis |
| Fauna – Invertebrates | Freshwater shrimp, snails, insect larvae (dragonfly, damselfly) |
| Other Wildlife | Tadpoles, frogs, and waterfowl often forage near Vallisneria beds |
| Ecological Role | Sediment stabilizer, water clarifier, and cover for fry/inverts |
🌍 More about Vallisneria asiatica
First described by Japanese botanist Shigeru Miki in 1934, Vallisneria asiatica belongs to the Hydrocharitaceae family and is closely related to Vallisneria natans. It grows in slow-moving rivers, streams, and lakes across Asia, rooting in fine sand, silt, or mud. Its leaves can be long and ribbon-like or spiral, depending on form, and it reproduces vigorously through runners that create dense underwater meadows.
In its native habitats, Asiatic Val forms stands that play a critical ecological role. The plants stabilize sediment, improve water clarity, and provide vertical structure that shelters juvenile fish, shrimp, snails, and insect larvae. Schools of small cyprinids, loaches, and minnows often weave among its leaves, while periphyton and biofilms on the blades support a micro-ecosystem of invertebrates. In shallow margins of rivers and lakes, tadpoles, aquatic insects, and even waterfowl benefit from the habitat Vallisneria creates.
Naturally found in tropical and subtropical climates, water temperatures usually range between 68–80°F (20–27°C) with neutral to slightly acidic or alkaline conditions. While dioecious reproduction (male and female flowers) occurs in the wild, in aquariums Vallisneria asiatica primarily spreads by runners. Its natural tendency to form lush, waving meadows makes it a cornerstone of freshwater ecosystems — and a classic choice for aquascapers seeking to recreate that same dynamic in the aquarium.
