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Red Root Floaters (Phyllanthus fluitans)

Red Root Floaters are the showpiece floating plant: under strong light the leaves flush deep red and the trailing crimson roots match. They need calmer water and more light than Frogbit, and reward iron dosing with the saturated color they are named for.

Care specifications

TypeFloating
DifficultyEasy
LightMedium (40–80 µmol PAR)
CO2Not needed
Fertilizer demandMedium
Growth rateFast
Max height1 in
Spread4 in
PlacementFloating
Attaches to hardscapeNo
Snail & shrimp safeYes
Temperature70–84 °F
pH6–7.5
ColorRed
TrimmingRegular
StylesNature, Jungle

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Red Root Floaters

Red Root Floaters (Phyllanthus Fluitans)

$10.99 In stock

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Propagation

Divides on its own at the surface; separate clusters by hand and remove excess weekly once established.

Frequently asked questions

Why are my Red Root Floaters green instead of red?

Color is light-driven: under modest light the leaves stay green with red roots only. High light at the surface — which floaters get more of than any other plant — plus iron-containing fertilizer brings the full red within a couple of weeks.

Why do my Red Root Floaters keep dying in my tank?

Almost always surface agitation: they hate being splashed or swirled, and wet leaf tops rot. Calm a corner of the surface with a corral and reposition the filter outflow, and they go from melting to multiplying.

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