Aponogeton crispus (Ruffled Sword) care guide
Aponogeton crispus · Aponogetonaceae
Aponogeton crispus (Ruffled Sword) (Aponogeton crispus) is an aquatic plant. It belongs to the Aponogetonaceae family. It is native to Sri Lanka and southern India – seasonal ponds, swampy ground, still and flowing water; goes dormant when these dry out. It needs medium to bright light. Water temperature: 22°C – 30°C. pH: 5.0 – 8.0. Care difficulty: Easy (suits low-tech tanks). Growth rate: fast.
How do you care for Aponogeton crispus (Ruffled Sword)?
| Light | Medium to Bright (from above) |
|---|---|
| CO₂ | Not needed |
| Temperature | 22°C – 30°C |
| pH | 5.0 – 8.0 |
| Placement | Background or midground (large tanks) |
| Growth | Fast |
| Difficulty | Easy (suits low-tech tanks) |
| Family | Aponogetonaceae |
How do you trim and propagate Aponogeton crispus (Ruffled Sword)?
Remove old or yellowing outer leaves at the base; cut back leaves that reach and shade the surface; remove flower spikes if you don’t want seed. Propagate by carefully dividing the tuber, or from seed: brush the white-to-pink spikes held above the water to pollinate, and seeds germinate within a few weeks.
What problems affect Aponogeton crispus (Ruffled Sword)?
Large leaves dying back and growth stopping — a resting phase some plants still enter in aquaria; a soft tuber from rot, often after deep planting. Many ‘crispus’ in the trade are (often sterile) hybrids that may float leaves — the true species does not.
How do you fix Aponogeton crispus (Ruffled Sword) problems?
Leave the tuber in place, or rest it in cooler water for about two months — growth resumes; cut away rotten tissue or discard the tuber, and replant new tubers shallowly with the growing point uncovered. It feeds heavily through its roots: keep the substrate rich or add root tabs; it does better in an established tank.
Where does Aponogeton crispus (Ruffled Sword) come from?
Sri Lanka and southern India – seasonal ponds, swampy ground, still and flowing water; goes dormant when these dry out
What should you know before buying Aponogeton crispus (Ruffled Sword)?
Protected in Sri Lanka, where export of wild-collected A. crispus is banned; aquarium stock comes from cultivation. Buy cultivated plants.
Sources
- Aponogeton crispus — Flowgrow Aquatic Plant Database
- Aponogeton crispus — Wikipedia
- Aponogeton — Pacific Bulb Society
- GBIF name match: Aponogeton crispus — GBIF
- Cây thủy sinh choi lá nhăn — Cá Cảnh Thái Hòa (Vietnamese aquarium shop)
Care details checked against these sources on 2026-09-23.
Which aquascapes and tanks use Aponogeton crispus (Ruffled Sword)?
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