Cryptocoryne Pink Flamingo

Cryptocoryne 'Pink Flamingo' — Cryptocoryne Pink Flamingo

A rare, collector's crypt in blood-red and soft pink — vivid, unusual colors that are forgiving to keep

Cryptocoryne 'Pink Flamingo' is one of the most sought-after and striking plants in the hobby — a genuine collector's item that trades the usual greens and browns of common crypts for vivid pink. Its new leaves emerge a deep blood-red and gradually soften into a beautiful pink as they mature, all wrapped in the signature ruffled Cryptocoryne texture. Wonderfully, it stays colorful even in modest light, making it far more forgiving than most colorful plants — yet under high light and CO2 it deepens to an even richer pink and becomes an unforgettable focal point. Compact, slow-growing, and easy once established, it's a rare splash of exotic color for any aquascape.

AQUASCAPING TIP: This is a rooted crypt, so plant it in the substrate (not attached to hardscape): bury the roots but keep the crown — where leaves meet roots — sitting just above the surface. Crypts are heavy root feeders, so tuck a root tab beneath it for stronger growth and color. It's colorful in modest light, but for the deepest, most vivid pink, give it higher light plus CO2 and iron. New growth shows the best color.

AT A GLANCE

CARE GUIDE

CUSTOMER QUESTIONS ANSWERED

(Q) How do I get and keep the pink color?

= The color develops naturally as the plant grows: new leaves emerge a deep blood-red and gradually lighten into soft pink as they age, giving you a living gradient of red and pink. One of this plant's best qualities is that it stays colorful even in low-to-mid light — far more forgiving than red stem plants that fade to green without intense lighting. That said, under higher light with CO2 and iron-rich fertilizer, it expresses an even deeper, more vivid pink and becomes a real showpiece. The newest growth always shows the best color, so a freshly arrived plant may look variable at first and grow into its color as new leaves emerge in your tank.

(Q) My crypt melted and lost its leaves after planting — is it dead?

= No — this is "crypt melt," a normal behavior of all Cryptocoryne (including our Wendtii varieties). When a crypt moves into a new tank, it often sheds some or all of its leaves while it adjusts to your water chemistry, but the roots and rhizome stay alive underneath. Do not pull it out or throw it away. Leave it planted, keep your parameters stable, and it will push out fresh new leaves within a few weeks. There's even a silver lining here: since the colorful red-to-pink leaves are the new growth, the regrowth after a melt is exactly what brings that signature color into your tank — so melt-then-regrow is part of how it colors up for you. Patience pays off.

(Q) How do I plant it and feed it?

= Plant it as a rooted plant, not an epiphyte — despite occasional mislabeling, Cryptocoryne belongs in the substrate, not attached to driftwood or rock like Anubias or ferns. Bury the roots in the substrate but leave the crown (where the leaves meet the roots) sitting just above the surface, as burying the crown can cause rot. Crypts are heavy root feeders, so a root tab placed near the roots makes a noticeable difference to both growth and color; a nutrient-rich substrate or plain gravel supplemented with root tabs both work well. Once it settles in, it's genuinely low-maintenance.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

1 Cryptocoryne 'Pink Flamingo' plant, 2–4 inches, a rooted plant ready to plant in the substrate (crown exposed — do not attach it to hardscape). A period of crypt melt after planting is normal, and the regrowth brings its signature color — see the FAQ above. Remove from any pot or rockwool and rinse gently before planting. Photos are representative of the species; your specimen may vary slightly.

Ships within 10–15 business days.