🌿 Overview

Phyllanthus fluitans is a soft, floating aquatic plant native to Central and South America. It produces small, oval leaves with bright red edges, forming dense, colorful mats on the water surface.

It is moderately beginner-friendly and grows well in low-tech aquariums, although CO₂ supplementation and high light intensify the red coloration and promote faster mat formation.

🍃 Appearance

• Oval-shaped green to red leaves with reddish margins
• Forms dense floating mats on the water surface
• Adds a dramatic, colorful accent to aquascapes
• Height: floats naturally on the surface; leaves ~1–2 cm wide
• Ideal for shrimp tanks, community tanks, and nature aquariums

🌿 Plant Type (Hard/Soft)

• Type: Floating plant
• Category: Soft aquatic plant
• Growth rate: Moderate to fast under optimal conditions

🌡️ Ideal Water Temperature

• 22°C – 28°C (72°F – 82°F)
• Prefers tropical freshwater conditions

💡 Lighting Conditions

• Moderate to high lighting
• High light enhances red coloration and encourages healthy mat growth
• Low light may reduce color intensity

🌿 CO₂ Requirement

• Optional
• CO₂ accelerates growth and enhances leaf coloration, but not mandatory
• Can thrive in low-tech setups

⚗️ Ideal pH Level

• pH: 6.0 – 7.5
• Slightly acidic to neutral water preferred

💧 Other Requirements

• Floating plant; no substrate required
• Benefits from liquid fertilizers for optimal growth and coloration
• Provides shade for sensitive plants and hiding spots for fry
• Requires occasional thinning to prevent overcrowding

🌱 Propagation

• Propagates via natural fragmentation
• New plants grow from broken leaves or runners
• Easy to spread across the water surface to cover large areas

💡 Do You Know?

Phyllanthus fluitans is prized in aquascaping for its vivid red foliage, which contrasts beautifully with green plants like Salvinia. It is excellent for creating natural floating surfaces, reducing algae by limiting light, and providing shelter for small aquatic animals.

🏷️ Plant Category Classification

🟢 Beginner Friendly

✔ Yes – Low maintenance, adaptable, and hardy

🟢 Non-CO₂ Plant (Low-Tech)

✔ Yes – Can thrive without CO₂, though red coloration is more vivid with supplementation

🟢 High-Tech Plant

✔ Yes – High light and CO₂ create vivid, fast-growing floating mats