Phyllanthus (Phyllanthus fluitans): easy red floating plant
A compact, decorative floating plant... designed for low-tech setups
Phyllanthus is an ideal small floating plant, suitable for everything from nano tanks to large aquariums. Its hydrophobic leaves (with a "Salvinia" effect) form a mat that softens the light and reassures surface-dwelling fish, making it excellent for Bettas. Under strong light, it takes on a spectacular rust-red hue, while its reddish roots create beautiful plumes beneath the surface.
Phyllanthus, sometimes called "Red root floaters", looks a lot like Salvinia, but it forms a less dense cover and, above all, turns red very easily.
Why choose Phyllanthus fluitans?
- Very easy red coloration under intense lighting.
- No heavy equipment: no CO2 required (floating plant), just sufficient lighting.
- Natural algae control: absorbs nitrates and phosphates at the surface and softens the light.
- Highly decorative roots: entirely tinted red, they provide shelter for fry, where they can find abundant infusoria, as well as for microfauna.
- Perfect for low-tech setups and aquascaping (a non-opaque, adjustable surface mat).
- Compact: also ideal for nano aquariums because it is small and not overly invasive.
Growing tips
- Light: medium to strong (the red coloration is particularly pronounced under strong light).
- Water and current: calm water, with little surface movement to prevent drifting and preserve the roots' microbiotic environment.
- Nutrition: benefits from "living" water (with fish or shrimp). No fertilizer required.
- CO2: unnecessary (it absorbs CO2 directly from the air).
- Management: harvest excess regularly to allow light through, benefiting the submerged plants.
- Outdoors: in summer only, in a pond or tub pond. Bring it indoors before the cold weather.
Possible uses for Phyllanthus
- Low-tech aquarium: natural light diffusion and a reassuring environment for aquatic animals.
- Aquascaping: red/green contrast, with decorative, strongly colored roots forming a "curtain".
- Bettas and surface-dwelling fish: shaded resting areas, stronger bubble nests, and infusoria for newly hatched fry.
- Summer pond or tub pond: a superb red touch on the surface (bring it indoors for winter).
FAQ – Phyllantus fluitans
How can I achieve a beautiful red color?
Provide strong light and keep the surface clear, with little shade. The roots, however, are always a deep red.
Is CO2 required?
No. Like all floating plants, it uses CO2 from the air.
Is it suitable for nano aquariums?
Yes, it is one of the floating plants best suited to nano aquariums.
Can it be mixed with other floating plants?
Yes (Salvinia, duckweed...). Simply monitor the surface coverage by removing excess regularly.
Will it survive outdoors in winter?
No, it is a tropical plant: outdoors in summer only; bring the plant indoors before the cold weather.
Additional information
- Scientific name: Phyllantus fluitans
- Plant type: floating filtering fern
- Light: medium for a green color, stronger to achieve this superb red color.
- Temperature: 18 to 28°C. In an aquarium, or outdoors in summer. It will turn strongly red in sunlight.
- Water: it prefers calm water or very gentle currents. Still surface. Tap water suits it very well.
- Size: the heart-shaped leaves do not exceed one centimeter, and neither do the roots.
- Packaging: 5 rosettes (indicative weight: 10 g).
- Guarantee: no rock wool or artificial substrate of any kind. We grow it in genuinely natural conditions, with its microbiome.
- Recommendation: as a precaution, please never release this plant into the wild, even though it would not survive winter in our regions. Our ecosystems are fragile and must be preserved.
