Plant Profiles

Vallisneria australis

Live freshwater plant Vallisneria australis - Giant Tapegrass for fish tanks and aquariums Large bunch or portion of aquatic plant Vallisneria australis - Giant Tapegrass. Aquarium plant with fast delivery across Australia.
Vallisneria australis
Giant Tapegrass
$7.95

Vallisneria australis, also known as Giant Tapegrass or 'Vallisneria gigantea', is a stunning and hardy aquatic plant native to Australia. Its long, broad, ribbon-like leaves make it an excellent addition to larger aquariums and ponds. The plant propagates easily via runners and can quickly spread to cover the bottom of the tank or pond, creating a beautiful and natural look.

One of the most attractive features of Vallisneria australis is its ability to grow to great lengths, with leaves reaching up to 150cm in length and 2cm in width. However, in most aquariums, the leaves tend to float on the surface, which can cause shading and limit the growth of other plants beneath it. To prevent this, regular pruning is required, which is easy to do as the plant grows in a rosette-like fashion from the base.

Another benefit of this plant is that its leaves are tough and strong, making it resistant to damage from herbivorous fish. This makes it an excellent choice for community tanks with a variety of fish species.

Vallisneria australis prefers slightly harder, calcium-rich water, but it is tolerant of a wide range of water parameters and does well in water with a KH between 2-21°dKH, and a pH of 6.0-8.0. It is also extremely cold tolerant, with a temperature range of 4 - 32°C, making it suitable for unheated tanks.

In addition to its aesthetic qualities, Vallisneria australis also provides many benefits to the aquarium or pond ecosystem. The plant helps to oxygenate the water, absorb excess nutrients, and provide a natural habitat for fish and other aquatic creatures.

This is an excellent choice for aquarists and pond keepers looking for a hardy, attractive, and beneficial aquatic plant. Its ability to propagate easily, resistance to herbivorous fish, and tolerance for a range of water parameters make it a versatile and low-maintenance native addition to any aquatic environment.

Requirements and information

Temperature:
TropicalWarmCold

Substrate type:
CoarseFine

Substrate nutrients:

Medium

Water nutrients:

Medium

Light demand:

Low

CO2:

Low

Height:

Tall

Growth rate:

Vigorous

Growth habit:

Rosette

Creeping

Difficulty:

Easy

Native to: