(It is not clear which plants sold in the aquarium trade under this name are the true species.

Cryptocoryne beckettii is a perennial, rhizomatous, herb that can grow as an emergent or as a submerged aquatic.

It has basal leaves with elongate, sheathing petioles up to 15 cm (6 in) long.

The leaves have an acute to acuminate apex, entire or sometimes undulate leaf margins, and conspicuously red veins.

petchii is a smaller form with slightly fluted leaves.