Phyllanthus Fluitans Red Root Floater
Plant Profile
The Red Root Floater is a beautiful floating plant with light green leaves that can turn blood red when kept under high light. What makes this plant unique and highly sought after is its striking blood-red roots, setting it apart from the usual brown roots of other aquarium floaters. This small floating fern quickly spreads into thick mats across the surface, making it perfect for low-tech aquariums and paludariums where it creates natural shade to suppress algae growth. Just keep in mind that these floating plants for aquariums prefer low flow and will not survive in a tank with heavy surface agitation. You will receive 2-3 dime-sized plants with a minimum of 2-3 leaves each.
Key Features & Benefits
- Small white flowers bloom along the leaves under strong lighting and stable water parameters.
- Absorbs excess nitrates and biological waste to starve out nuisance algae.
- Dense crimson roots provide shelter for shrimp and fry while giving shy fish confidence to explore.
Care & Planting Instructions
- Gently place the plants directly onto the water surface, ensuring the tops of the leaves remain dry.
- Keep surface agitation minimal, as heavy water flow or splashing filters will trap water on top of the leaves and cause them to rot.
- Provide adequate lighting to encourage rapid growth and bring out rich coloration.
- Thin out the floating carpet regularly to ensure light still reaches your submerged midground and stem plants below.
- Dose liquid fertilizers regularly because floating plants absorb nutrients directly from the water column at an accelerated rate.
- Click here for an in-depth Red Root Floater Care Guide.
Quick Facts
Listed information should be treated as general guidelines only. Team Buce Plant encourages you to do thorough research to ensure healthy growth!
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Phyllanthus fluitans |
| Common Name(s) | Red Root Floater |
| Family | Phyllanthaceae |
| Plant Type | Floating Plant / Fern |
| Height / Size | Leaves up to 1 in. wide | Roots 1–4 in. long |
| Care Difficulty | Easy |
| Light Requirement | Low to High (6 to 8 hours daily) |
| CO2 Requirement | Not Required |
| Placement / Usage | Water Surface Canopy, Livestock Shade |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Water Parameters | pH 6.5–7.5 | Temperature 70°F–82°F (21°C–28°C) |
| Propagation Method | Division (Side Shoots / Runners) |
| Origin | South America |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I keep my floating aquarium plants from dying due to filter flow and splashing?
High water turbulence and constant water resting on the leaves are the main causes of rot in floating aquarium plants. Keep surface flow low, or use an airline tubing loop or floating ring to shield your aquarium floaters from direct filter return or bubbling air stones.
2. Can floating plants help control algae and absorb nitrates in a fish tank?
Yes, these aquarium floaters act as incredible biological filters. Because they sit at the surface with direct access to atmospheric carbon dioxide, they grow exponentially faster than fully submerged species, aggressively consuming nitrates, ammonium, and excess nutrients that fuel nuisance algae.
3. Should I trim the hanging roots or thin out excess surface growth?
You can trim the long red roots using sharp aquascaping scissors to maintain your desired aesthetic without harming the plant. However, routinely thinning out excess leaves is crucial so that your floating plants do not block all light from reaching your submerged stem and ground plants below.