Persicaria sp. 'Sao Paulo' Care Guide
Persicaria sp. 'Sao Paulo' is a fast background stem plant with lanceolate leaves that turn intense magenta-pink under strong light and CO2.
Overview
Persicaria sp. 'Sao Paulo' (also traded as Polygonum sp. 'Sao Paulo') is a stem plant in the family Polygonaceae. Its more-or-less lanceolate leaves develop an intense magenta coloration under strong light, a hue rarely seen in planted tanks.
Taxonomy
- Family: Polygonaceae
- Genus: Persicaria
- Scientific name: Persicaria sp. 'Sao Paulo'
- Trade synonym: Polygonum sp. 'Sao Paulo'
Habitat
The plant is associated with South America (the trade name refers to São Paulo, Brazil). It is cultivated as an aquarium plant rather than collected at scale.
Growth requirements
- Water type: freshwater
- Temperature: 23-27 °C (73-81 °F)
- pH: 5.5-7.0
- GH: 2-10 °dGH
- Lighting: high (not suitable for low-light tanks)
- CO2: recommended; benefits growth density and colour
It is relatively demanding and rewards experienced aquarists: it needs ample iron dosing and a phosphate concentration around 1 mg/L or above, alongside strong light and CO2 for its best colour.
Placement
A fast grower for the background, reaching up to about 50 cm per the KB record. Stems are best planted individually in a group with some spacing.
Propagation
Like other stem plants it is propagated by terminal and partial cuttings, which can be replanted to expand the group.