Pontederiifolia

Cryptocoryne pontederiifolia is a broad-leaved crypt from the freshwater tidal zone of Sumatra's west coast, where it grows beside the nipa palm, and it has also been found on swampy ground in Singapore. Its wide, often gently puckered leaves are green with a faintly brownish or purple flush on the underside, and a mature plant makes a solid rosette of about 20 cm.

It is one of the more adaptable crypts, comfortable in soft or hard water and slightly acidic or neutral, and it is notably less prone to crypt melt than most relatives. Temperatures of 22 to 25 °C and a pH of 6 to 7.5 cover its needs. It grows slowly and compactly under CO₂ and strong light, while weaker light stretches it taller; either way it does not require CO₂ to do well.

New plants come from runners off the mother plant, which gradually form a group. Its wide leaves work as a midground or background mass in medium and large tanks, standing in for Anubias, and as a specimen it reads well against dark moss. Give it several weeks to adapt after planting before expecting new growth.