Commonly refered to as Crypts, they are native to regions of southeast asia, india and new guinea. Crypts argrow in a wide range of habitats such as streams and rivers; seasonal flood plains and humid tropical forests. Many of these habitats has slow flowing water.

​

Crypts grow very well in emersed setups but once planted, emersed or submerged, they do not enjoy being moved. Crypts prefer low to medium light and a slow to medium flow. When planting cryptocoryne simply bury the plant to where just the  crown is sticking out of the substrate.

Crypts are notorious for what is now know as 'Crypt Melt' but do typically recover and once established are very hardy.