Red root floater
Phyllanthus fluitans
Red root floater
- Attractive floater from South America
- Round leaves
- Red coloration under strong lighting
- Finely branched red roots
- Recommendable for open tanks
Unfortunately, Phyllanthus fluitans is extremely sensitive during transport. It can, however, grow back into large stocks from small fragments without problems. If you are dissatisfied with the quality after receiving the goods, please contact us so we can find a solution. We are aware of the problem, but we cannot cushion the plants inside their in Vitro pots. Unfortunately, the portioned variation of the plant is just as fragile. Simply because we find the plant so attractive ourselves, we continue offering it. Unfortunately, though, due to the many complaints, the sale of Phyllanthus fluitans just absolutely is not worth it and the plant is about to leave our assortment again.
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Description
Phyllanthus fluitans is a floating plant that is widespread in the Neotropics. The plant is also known in the hobby as "floating spurge" because it was attributed to the family Euphorbiaceae over a long period (today: Phyllanthaceae). Its round floating leaves are water-repellent and may become deeply brown-red especially under strong lighting and limited nitrogen supply. Also the roots are often a red colour, therefore its name "Red root floater".
This pretty, relatively small floater is not difficult to grow in aquariums, good lighting and nutrient-rich water provided. The plant propagates by branching and breaking of its thin, soft stems. It is also able to grow terrestrial on wet, muddy substrate. Under optimal growth conditions, one can expect small, star-like white flowers appearing in the leaf axils.
The Red root floater is especially attractive in open tanks and well lit paludariums. According to its origin, it is also suited for biotope tanks imitating South American stagnant water habitats.
This nice little floating plant originates from the American tropics and is traditionally counted among the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). Recent research has shown, though, that the genus Phyllanthus better be placed in its own family, that of Phyllanthaceae.
Phyllanthus fluitans looks pretty similar to a floating fern of the genus Salvinia, however, instead of two floating leaves it has just one on each node (alternate leaves).
The thin submerges stem has tufts of red roots and round, water-repellent floating leaves with a heart-shaped base that hide the stem more or less completely. The leaves often possess a convex centre, whereas the leaf margin is even with the waterline.
Under favourable conditions, tiny white flowers with six petals appear in the leaf axils. (read more)
| Common names | Red root floater |
| Complete botanical name | Phyllánthus flúitans Benth. ex Müll.Arg. |
| Family | Phyllanthaceae |
| Genus | Phyllanthus |
| Difficulty | medium |
| Usage | Water surface |
| Growth | fast |
| pH value | 5 - 8 |
| Temperature tolerance | 18 - 30°C |
| Carbonate hardness | 0 - 14°dKH |
| General hardness | 0 - 30°dGH |
| Propagation | Fragmentation, Cuttings, Splitting, cutting off daughter plants |
| Can grow emersed? | yes |
| Source | Flowgrow |
| Common names |
| Red root floater |
| Complete botanical name |
| Phyllánthus flúitans Benth. ex Müll.Arg. |
| Family |
| Phyllanthaceae |
| Genus |
| Phyllanthus |
| Difficulty |
| medium |
| Usage |
| Water surface |
| Growth |
| fast |
| pH value |
| 5 - 8 |
| Temperature tolerance |
| 18 - 30°C |
| Carbonate hardness |
| 0 - 14°dKH |
| General hardness |
| 0 - 30°dGH |
| Propagation |
| Fragmentation, Cuttings, Splitting, cutting off daughter plants |
| Can grow emersed? |
| yes |
| Source |
| Flowgrow |
How many plants do I need?
General information
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Customer reviews
7 Reviews
| 5 Stars(4) |
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| 4 Stars(3) |
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| 3 Stars(0) |
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| 1 Star(0) |
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It came all the way to Croatia on the third day, looking good and just like the picture. About 20% melted in the following week, but it really took off and is growing fast and... (read more)
These plants are gorgeous. Really healthy, the down part of the plant is red and its perfect in my Tank wich its on a shelf above
Will see how it will grow, but at least it arrived in the perfect state - it was submerged in some kind of gel, which prevented damage.