Red Root Floater (Phyllanthus fluitans) Care Guide

A decorative floating plant with small round leaves that turn vivid red under strong lighting. Its bright red root system and colorful foliage make it one of the most visually striking floating plants…

Overview

Phyllanthus fluitans is an aquatic plant in the family Phyllanthaceae. A decorative floating plant with small round leaves that turn vivid red under strong lighting. Its bright red root system and colorful foliage make it one of the most visually striking floating plants available.

Taxonomy

Family: Phyllanthaceae
Genus: Phyllanthus
Scientific name: Phyllanthus fluitans
Other names: RRF

Habitat

Native to the Amazon basin, occurring in Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, Venezuela, Paraguay and northern Argentina. The type locality lies along the Rio Negro. Heart-shaped leaves contain air pockets that maintain buoyancy.

Growth requirements

Light: medium (≈50-80 PAR at substrate)
CO2: optional (CO2 improves growth and coloration)
Temperature: 22-28 °C
pH: 6-7.5
GH: 2-10 °dGH
Substrate: any (rootless or floating)
Nutrient demand: low
Growth rate: medium
Difficulty: intermediate

Placement

Recommended placement: floating at the surface
Maximum height: 3 cm
Trim every: 7 days

Propagation

In cultivation the plant is propagated by runners (daughter plants on horizontal stolons).