Red Root Floaters

Red root floater grows at the water surface on slender branching stems, with rounded, water-repellent leaves and roots that can show red tones. Phyllanthus fluitans is traded in green and red forms of the same species, with the same care requirements. Leaf colour changes with light intensity rather than remaining a fixed colour in every aquarium.

Float the plants with their leaves exposed above the water and their roots hanging freely. Medium to strong light and adequate nutrients in the water support growth. Stronger light can deepen the brown-red leaf colour, but red colour is not a reason to deprive the plant of nutrients. The optimum temperature is 24 to 28 °C and pH 5 to 8. Added CO₂ is not needed for its surface-growing use.

Thin the patch when it becomes crowded or casts excessive shade on submerged plants. Its fragile stems branch and separate readily; divide a healthy portion to start another patch. Inspect the root zone and remove deteriorating material during maintenance. The plant can also be cultivated above water on wet, nutrient-rich substrate, but that is a different planting method from simply floating it in an aquarium.