Quick Stats
Minimum Tank Size: 29 Gallons (110 Litres)
Care Level: Very Easy
Water Conditions: 6.0 -9.0 pH and Moderately Hard to Very Hard
Temperature: 64–82°F (18-28°C)
Maximum Size: 6 feet (2 meters)
Jungle vals (Vallisneria americana) also known as water celery, eelgrass and tape grass are a hardy, freshwater plant that are part of the tape-grasses family. It was one of the earliest aquatic plants used in the hobby, and remains very popular to this day.
While its name seems to indicate that it’s indigenous to the Americas, its native range includes Asia, Australia, North America, Central America, and South America. In North America it’s primarily found in the east, though it has been spreading to the west in recent years, with reports of it in Washington, Arizona, New Mexico and Nebraska.
Jungle vals prefer slow moving water, and it primarily inhabits lakes, ponds, and streams. It normally grows in shallow water, and it’s rarely found in depths greater than ten feet. It forms vast forests with its long ribbon leaves, which act as a refuge for numerous species of fish and invertebrates.
It can also tolerate brackish water, and it is sometimes found in rivers and bays with variable levels of salinity.
There are numerous species of Vallisneria in the aquarium trade and they can be very difficult to tell apart. While jungle vals (Vallisneria americana) tend to be the most commonly found, there are numerous other species which are often sold under incorrect names.
Jungle vals grows completely submerged and root deeply in the substrate. It is commonly used in aquariums with fish known for digging, since its deep roots make it very difficult to dislocate. Because of its size, it should only be used as a background plant, and it can quickly overgrow a small aquarium.
Care
Jungle vals are incredibly hardy, and can adapt to most water conditions. With that being said, they are one of the few plants that prefer hard, alkaline water and may experience slower growth in soft, acidic water. They are also one of the few plants that can tolerate brackish water, though this will negatively impact their growth rate and propagation.
When choosing a substrate, either gravel or sand are acceptable, though I highly recommend using CaribSea Eco-Complete
This plant doesn’t require the addition of any CO2 to its aquarium, as they primarily exist in shallow water which is naturally poor in CO2. However, while no CO2 is required, they do benefit from the addition of an iron rich fertilizer. Fertilizer should be added to the tank water on a weekly basis, and it’s usually best to add it after a weekly water change.
Jungles vals do best under high lighting, though they will adapt to moderate lighting – with significantly slowed growth rates. When choosing lighting for a jungle val, a high quality LED, or speciality plant bulb (CFL, Fluorescent Tube) are the best choices.
The leaves should never be trimmed on this plant, and if the leaves are damaged in any way, they will usually just rot away and foul the water. If the leaves absolutely have to be trimmed, they should be trimmed with very sharp scissors. The leaf will sometimes survive this type of trimming without dying off.
Propagation
Jungle vals reproduces through runners in the home aquarium, which will root, and then form a new plant. The runners must not be separated from the main plant until the leaves have become fully developed. It can then safely be moved and replanted elsewhere in the aquarium. It often takes up to four weeks for the plant to acclimatize to being relocated and begin growing again.
Jungles vals rarely reproduce through seeds indoor, and it usually only occurs in ponds or its natural habitat. During reproduction, white female flowers grow to the surface of the water, while smaller male flowers release from the plant and float to the surface. There they will be caught by the female flowers, and pollination will occur. Fertilization creates a long cylindrical pod, which is filled with tiny seeds.
Compatibility
Jungle vals are the perfect plant for problem fish, and the combination of deep roots and tough leaves make them difficult for even the most aggressive fish to damage or uproot. They are good choices for cichlid and herbivore tanks, and while some fish will still be able to destroy them over time, they have a much better survival rate than most other aquatic plants.
I think jungle val will completely destroy your duckweed thru allelopathy.
Where did you read about that? I’ve heard about possible allelopathy when using aquarium water to water terrestrial plants, but I haven’t been able to find much on the subject regarding aquatic plants. I think Diana Walstad touched on it in her book, but even there, I’m not sure if it was conclusive (and I don’t own the book, so I have to trust my memory).
I’d really appreciate it if you could tell me where you read it, so I can check it out for myself. This actually comes up a lot, and I don’t have a definitive answer.
It’s more likely it will destroy the duckweed through eating up all the nutrients since it’s also a really fast growing plant (that’s assuming enough light reaches it). I personally never have duckweed problems, it just doesn’t survive in my tank (I’ve tried numerous times).
Hi, great article. Though most people said it’s an easy plant, I’m killing mine! Would you be so kind as to let me know what I’m doing wrong?
My tank is 100L, only has hairgrass and jungle val, two dozens fish (neons, guppies and SAE). Lighting is Fluval 2.0 for 5hours a day, co2 around the same time. Only dosing flourish potassium and micro once a week.
My jungle val are getting black tips and melts, and it has black dots on it. I have root tabs.
I hope my highlighting is not feeding the algae that I think is on them….
Try getting some iron to the rootsYou can use some tops of pottery clay or root tabs to get the iron to roots. They are a heavy root feeder. I hope this helps
I have heard vals don’t like c02 at all and it can actually hurt them.
I hadn’t heard that before. Do you know any sources for that? I did a quick search and couldn’t find anything.
U are correct Mines melted with the co2
Mine never used to grow until I started adding CO2, but I understand that they don’t like the liquid CO2 supplements.
I would really recommend extending your lighting period.
They grow 2 meters tall and they should never be trimmed? Is it just foolhardy for me to have it in a 16-gallon aquarium?
It all depends on how you want your aquarium to look. They will continue to grow and bend to cover the top of the aquarium. If you don’t mind the look, it’s actually a pretty interesting result when they’ve grown over the top of the aquarium. But some people prefer a more neat look, so it all depends on what you want.
I trim mine monthly and they are growing like weeds. The article is wrong.
I ordered some for my 10 gall0n, and you said the minimum tank size is 29, what do I do?
I wouldn’t worry about it too much. The only thing that will happen is the jungle vals will overgrow the tank a little bit. As they grow, they will start to bend until they cover the top of the aquarium. And since they can’t be trimmed, it will look a little overgrown, but nothing bad will happen in a smaller tank.
Hi, out of total lack of knoledge, i did trim them once…they are doing ok.
Yours are doing ok? I have two in my tank (50 gallon) I just planted a couple days ago but not being able to trim them will pose a problem for most any tank. I suppose IF mine do well and get too out of hand I’ll have to give mine a trim too! LOL
I can’t understand how a plant that has the possibility of growing so long can’t be trimmed. Wouldn’t it make it impossible to have in any aquarium? I just added two to my 50 gallon and I’m hoping they do well but they will be forced to get a trim if they completely cover the top. LOL. Wondering IF they do good (hoping they do) and they HAVE to be trimmed….would they have better chance if they are trimmed at an angle?
Thank You!
Mary
It can be trimmed, but it’s generally recommended not to trim it. Trimming often damages the leaves and kills it off completely. If you trim, cut it directly across with very sharp scissors. Also, you could try corkscrew vals as they grow much smaller and won’t turn your aquarium into a jungle. lol
Thank you for the advice!!
Does the grass that bends at the top of the tank need direct lighting? Mine all seemed to bend and start growing along the top back of the tank ,behind my light?