❄️Winter Shipping Requirements: If the temperature is below 40 degrees during the next week where you live, you must purchase this shipping upgrade to claim DOA. There are no exceptions.
This shipping upgrade includes a hot pack and a rigid box. It is well worth the $6.00.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1332755100/shipping-upgrade-hot-pack-live-plant?click_key=4efe2a02576a5458d2fdac44fa8687d9844b8f92%3A1332755100&click_sum=7e078515&ga_search_query=hot%2Bpack&ref=shop_items_search_1&pro=1&frs=1 ❄️
Buy 2 Get 1 Free: Valid on all items with Buy 2 Get 1 Free in the title. Just purchase 2, and we will send the 3rd free.
📬Free Priority Mail shipping upgrade when you spend $50 or more. Get your plants quicker and healthier!
✅ Snail Free Plants!
✅ Live Arrival Guarantee!
✅ 1 Month After Order Customer Support(Plants aren't doing well? We can help you diagnose the problem!)
✅Satisfaction Guaranteed!
🤑Spend $35 or more on your order and we will send you a free plant or a nerite snail. Your choice! Just leave us a note with your order and it will be included!
❓Have more questions? Just send us a message and we will respond within a few hours.
🤔 Not sure what to order? Click the custom order button on our shop page and we can help you pick out what would be best for your aquarium!
Please select number of plants in the dropdown.
Live arrival guarantee. Pest-free guarantee.'
These are large mature plants.
The Jungle Val (Vallisneria americana) is a gorgeous aquatic plant species that goes by many other names. You might see it being sold as Eelgrass, Water Celery, or Tape Grass. Whatever the name it’s holding, this plant is a welcome addition to any freshwater tank.
It’s native to the Americas and belongs to the extensive Hydrocharitaceae family. Despite its prevalence in North, Central, and South America, the plant also grows naturally in Australia and Asia. In the wild, these plants grow in slow-moving streams and lakes.
Resilient and easy to care for, Jungle Val is an excellent choice for beginners. In fact, this plant was one of the first to be used in freshwater home aquariums. It has a long history in the trade and continues to be a trusted choice for aquarists of all skill levels.
The Benefits Of Having It In Your Tank
Like many live plants, Jungle Val can do a lot to improve your freshwater tank. Not only does it boost aesthetics with its vivid coloration, but the plant can improve water conditions as well.
Live plants release oxygen into the water during the photosynthesis process. It creates a more oxygen-rich environment for your fish.
On top of that, the plant can absorb pollutants and unwanted chemicals. For example, plants can absorb ammonia and use it as a source of nitrogen. Ammonia is a byproduct of fish waste that becomes fatal in high concentrations.
Plants like Jungle Val can keep ammonia levels nice and manageable, which takes a load off of you.
Finally, Jungle Val can do wonders to improve the quality of life for tank inhabitants. Most fish and invertebrates love living among vegetation. It offers some stimulation while also providing coverage.
Appearance
Jungle Val is on the simpler side when it comes to appearance. It doesn’t have any complex colors or fanciful blooms. But make no mistake, this plant is still breathtaking.
The plant looks very similar to seagrass. Thin leaves burst from the plant’s base and stretch up the water column. The leaves can grow very long and touch the top of the waterline.
Even with low water flow, the plant can sway with the current. It creates a dense sea of movement that’s beautiful all on its own. The addition of playful fish only highlights the plant’s beauty.
Size & Growth Rate
In the wild, Jungle Val plants can grow up to six feet tall! They usually grow in shallow waters, so it’s not uncommon to see the leaves flowing sideways with the current. In deeper waters, the plant stands tall and takes up most of the water column.
Captive plants don’t get that big, but they will certainly try to. The Jungle Val is a fast grower that will quickly reach surface level.
The plant is not strong enough to grow outside of the water. Even if it were, the leaves would not survive long without being submerged.
As a result, most plants will naturally stop growing after they reach the surface. If there’s enough room, some will continue to grow. The excess will simply float on the surface like a blanket.
Jungle Val Care
These plants are one of the easiest in the aquarium trade! Once established, they don’t need much to thrive.
That said, you have to get them started off right to see success. Here are some basic Jungle Val care guidelines to help these plants flourish.
Tank Size
The first thing to consider is the tank size. Thanks to the massive size potential of Jungle Vals, bigger is better.
On the lower end of the volume spectrum, aquarists typically recommend getting a tank that’s around 20 to 30 gallons. That’s the smallest you can go!
If you attempt to grow these plants in anything smaller, you won’t have much room for any fish. Jungle Val quickly outgrows small aquariums, so it’s good to go big!
Water Parameters
When it comes to Jungle Val care, the best way to support this freshwater plant is to mimic the water parameters of its natural habitat. Fortunately, the wild distribution of Jungle Val is pretty vast. As a result, the plant can grow in a wide range of environments.
It prefers warm waters that err on the alkaline side of the pH scale. The plant also enjoys moderately hard water conditions and low flow. In most cases, your average tropical freshwater aquarium conditions will do just fine.
Water temperature: 64 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit
pH levels: 6.0 to 9.0 (slightly alkaline is best)
Water hardness: 8 to 12 dGH
Lighting
The Jungle Val grows in depths of 10 feet or less. It stays pretty close to the surface, resulting in high light exposure.
It’s best to replicate those conditions in your aquarium. Provide high lighting with specialized plant bulbs or bright LEDs. The plant should have light exposure for eight to ten hours every day.
If you’re unable to provide tons of light, Jungle Val will adapt to moderate lighting. However, it may experience slower growth as a result of this.
A lack of light can lead to a slow death. This isn’t a low light aquarium plant! Jungle Val needs light exposure to photosynthesize properly. Without it, the Jungle Val can’t manufacture food and fuel to survive.
Substrate
The best substrate for Jungle Val is gravel or sand. Sand is closer to what these plants use in the wild, but they quickly adapt to small rocks or pebbles.
The interesting thing about Jungle Val is that it has an extensive and robust root system. The roots remain firmly rooted. Not long after planting, the tiny rhizomes will spread horizontally and spread beneath the substrate. They get thicker as the plant ages, adding even more strength.
The roots provide tons of security, so you don’t have to worry about accidental uprooting or damage.
Please Note: When transported and then planted in a new environment (with new water parameters) this plant will sometimes shed its leaves. It is usually still alive in this state and should not be discarded. It will typically grow new, stronger leaves rather quickly if it is planted and allowed to acclimate.
