This can be a delicate species of Vallisneria, it does demand high lighting to grow successfully. Its leaves grow upwards in a spiral pattern and it tends to be a bit more compact than some of the other Vallis species. Always make sure that the leaves do not get fractured, as soon as this happens the leaf will die off. Many keepers think that this plant cannot be pruned back, this is not true. As long as the leaves are cut back with sharp scissors they will be okay. Leaves that are dying off can also be removed by lifting them away at the base.