Phyllanthus (Phyllanthus fluitans): easy red floating plant
A compact, decorative floater... and made for low-tech
Phyllanthus is a small ideal floating plant, from nano to large tanks. Its hydrophobic leaves (Salvinia effect) form a carpet that filters light and reassures surface fish (excellent with Bettas). Under strong light, it takes on a spectacular rust-red hue, while its reddish roots also create pretty plumes beneath the surface.
Phyllanthus, sometimes called "Red root floaters," looks a lot like Salvinia, but it forms a less dense cover and especially reddens very easily.
Why choose Phyllanthus fluitans?
- Very easy red color under intense lighting.
- No heavy technology: no CO2 needed (floating plant), just sufficient lighting.
- Natural anti-algae: absorbs nitrates and phosphates on the surface and filters the light.
- Very decorative roots: entirely tinted red, they serve as a refuge for fry who find numerous infusoria there, and for microfauna.
- Perfect for low-tech and aquascaping (non-opaque and adjustable surface carpet).
- Compact: also ideal in nano-aquariums because it is not invasive and small in size.
Cultivation tips
- Light: medium to strong (reddening is very pronounced under strong light).
- Water and current: calm water, little surface agitation to avoid drift and preserve the root microbiotic environment.
- Nutrition: benefits from "living" water (fish or shrimp). No fertilizer needed.
- CO2: unnecessary (directly captures CO2 from the air).
- Management: regularly harvest the excess to allow light to pass through, benefiting the submerged plants.
- Outdoors: in summer only in a pond or poubellarium. Bring inside before the cold.
Possible uses of Phyllanthus
- Low-tech aquarium: natural light screening, reassuring atmosphere for aquatic animals.
- Aquascaping: red/green contrast, decorative "curtain" roots because they are strongly colored.
- Bettas and surface fish: shaded and resting areas, bubble nest reinforcement, infusoria for newly hatched fry.
- Pond and summer trash pond: superb red touch on the surface (bring inside in winter).
FAQ – Phyllantus fluitans
How to get a beautiful red color?
Provide strong light and a clear surface (little shade). But the roots are always a deep red.
Is CO2 needed?
No. Like all floating plants, it uses CO2 from the air.
Is it nano compatible?
Yes, it is one of the floating plants best suited for nanos.
Can it be mixed with other floating plants?
Yes (Salvinia, duckweed...). Just monitor the surface cover by regularly removing the excess.
Will it survive outdoors in winter?
No, it is a tropical plant: outdoors in summer only, bring the stock inside before the cold.
Additional information
- Scientific name: Phyllantus fluitans
- Plant type: floating filtering fern
- Light: medium for a green color, stronger to obtain this superb red color.
- Temperature: 18 to 28°C. In an aquarium, or outdoors in summer. It will then turn strongly red in the sun.
- Water: it likes calm or very slow-flowing water. Still surface. Tap water suits it very well.
- Size: the heart-shaped leaves do not exceed one centimeter, just like the roots.
- Packaging: 5 rosette plants (indicative weight: 10 g).
- Guarantee: without rock wool or any artificial substrate of any kind. We raise it in real natural conditions, with its microbiota.
- Recommendation: as a precautionary principle, please never release this plant into the wild, even if it would not survive the winter in our regions. Our ecosystems are fragile and must be preserved.
