Phyllanthus fluitans (Red Root Floater)

09 November 2026

205

Phyllanthus fluitans is a free-floating South American aquatic plant with rounded, slightly swollen leaves and fine hanging roots. Under strong light, mature leaves may develop red or pink tones, while lower light generally produces greener growth. It is useful for absorbing nutrients, providing shade and offering cover near the surface. The supplied images show characteristic features, but coloration varies with light and growing conditions.

Identification

This species forms small, rounded leaves on short connecting stems, with fine roots hanging below the surface. It is commonly called Red Root Floater. Leaf color can range from green to bronze, red, or pink depending on light intensity, nutrient availability, and plant condition. Color alone should not be used to confirm identification.

Placement and light

Keep the plant floating freely at the surface rather than burying it in substrate. Provide bright, stable aquarium lighting for compact growth and stronger red coloration. Leave some open surface area for gas exchange and avoid allowing the plant to form a completely opaque layer, especially in smaller aquariums.

Water and nutrition

Phyllanthus fluitans can grow in a range of established freshwater aquarium conditions. It takes nutrients primarily from the water, so consistent but moderate nutrient availability supports healthy leaves and roots. Avoid persistent surface agitation that repeatedly submerges the foliage, and keep the leaves dry above the waterline where possible.

Propagation and maintenance

It spreads by branching and can be propagated by separating healthy side shoots or connected sections. Remove yellowing, damaged, or overcrowded growth regularly. Thin the surface cover so submerged plants still receive adequate light and so oxygen exchange is not unnecessarily restricted.

Practical cautions

Strong light can encourage red coloration but may also expose nutrient deficiencies or increase algae on older leaves. Long roots can become entangled with equipment or dense plantings, so inspect and trim or reposition floating clusters as needed. The identification is treated as Phyllanthus fluitans based on the supplied source and visible morphology; cultivar or population variation is not established here.

Plant info

Colors: Green, Red, Dark green, Pink
Difficulty: Easy
Origin: South America
Usage: Supporting plants
Type: Free-floating aquatic plant
Growth rate: Fast
Height: 1-5 cm
Light demand: High
CO2: Low

Related on Plants

Leave your comments

Latest on Plants

Solenostoma tetragonum (Pearl Moss)

Medium

On rock or root

Solenostoma tetragonum is a small aquatic liverwort sold in the aquarium trade as Pearl Moss. The supplied product identification is consistent with the finely branched, bright green growth shown, although a definitive species determination cannot be made from product images alone. It is best used as an attached epiphyte on wood or stone, where its delicate texture provides detail without dominating the layout.
Schismatoglottis prietoi

Easy

Middleground

Schismatoglottis prietoi is a compact, green aroid with thick, gently wavy leaves and a clumping growth habit. It is suitable for the middle area of smaller or medium-sized aquariums, where its textured foliage provides contrast without dominating the layout. The supplied material supports identification as S. prietoi, although aquarium-trade plants can sometimes be confused with related Schismatoglottis species.
Sagittaria subulata (Needle Leaf)

Easy

Foreground

Sagittaria subulata is a grass-like, rosette-forming aquarium plant sold as Needle Leaf or Dwarf Sagittaria. Its narrow leaves arise from a basal crown and it spreads by runners, forming a low to medium-height patch when grown submerged. The exact form can vary considerably: some specimens remain compact, while others produce taller leaves under aquarium conditions. Identification is reasonably clear from the supplied label and plant appearance, but cultivar or commercial-form distinctions cannot be confirmed from images alone.
Rotala wallichii (Wallich's Rotala)

Advanced

Background

Rotala wallichii is a delicate, fine-leaved stem plant from Asia that can develop pink to red growth tips under strong light and stable carbon dioxide. The supplied source identifies the plant as this species, although a definitive identification from a photograph alone is limited. It is best suited to experienced aquarists and is commonly used as a detailed background or midground accent.
Rotala rotundifolia 'Blood Red' (Blood Red Rotala)

Medium

Background

Rotala rotundifolia 'Blood Red' is a red stem-plant selection of the highly variable Rotala rotundifolia complex. It forms dense, upright shoots with narrow leaves and can become intensely red under strong light, adequate carbon dioxide, and balanced fertilisation. The trade name identifies the aquarium form, but appearance can vary between cultivated lines, so exact clonal identity cannot be confirmed from images alone.
Sagittaria subulata (Dwarf Sagittaria)

Easy

Foreground

Sagittaria subulata is a grass-like, stolon-forming rosette plant commonly used to create a low, natural-looking foreground or transition. Its narrow leaves vary in height according to conditions and may become taller in deeper water or weaker light. It is generally adaptable and suitable for planted community aquariums. The supplied images are consistent with this identification, although aquarium-grown forms can vary in size and appearance.
Rotala rotundifolia 'H'ra' (H'ra Rotala)

Advanced

Background

Rotala rotundifolia 'H'ra' is a colorful stem-plant cultivar grown for its narrow leaves and warm orange, pink, or reddish tones under strong aquarium lighting. It is generally sold as a cultivated form of Rotala rotundifolia, although the exact lineage and selection history are not established here. With adequate carbon dioxide, nutrients, and regular trimming, it can form a dense background group. Color intensity varies with light, nutrient availability, and general aquarium conditions.
Riccardia chamedryfolia (Coral Moss)

Advanced

On rock or root

Riccardia chamedryfolia is a compact, branching liverwort commonly sold in aquascaping as coral moss or mini pellia. It forms dense, cushion-like green growth with a finely divided, coral-like texture. This identification follows the supplied source label, although commercial liverwort names can sometimes be applied inconsistently. It is best used attached to hardscape rather than planted deeply in substrate, where good water movement and stable conditions help maintain healthy growth.
Riccia fluitans (Pond liverwort)

Medium

Supporting plants

Riccia fluitans is a small, floating thalloid liverwort that can also be cultivated underwater as a bright green cushion. It has no true leaves, stems, or roots, and spreads by branching and fragmentation. Aquarium specimens need to be secured because they naturally rise to the surface. The supplied images appear to show several different moss-like plants, so identification is based primarily on the stated source name.
Ranunculus inundatus (River Buttercup)

Medium

Foreground

Ranunculus inundatus is an Australian amphibious buttercup valued in aquariums for its distinctive, deeply divided leaves. Underwater, it forms a low to medium-height planting from creeping stems and can produce a spreading group when conditions are suitable. It is generally suitable for the foreground or lower middle ground, although strong light and regular trimming may be needed to keep growth compact. Identification is reasonably secure from the supplied source name, but cultivated forms can vary in leaf size and habit.
Pogostemon helferi (Small water star)

Medium

Foreground

Pogostemon helferi is a compact aquatic plant with bright green, strongly crinkled leaves arranged in dense rosettes. It is widely used as a foreground plant because it remains relatively short and can form groups over time. The species is associated with Southeast Asia, but exact locality information for aquarium-grown material may vary. Stable conditions, adequate light, nutrients, and carbon availability support compact growth and healthy new leaves.
Micranthemum tweediei (Monte Carlo Pearlwort)

Medium

Foreground

Micranthemum tweediei is a small, creeping South American stem plant widely used to form a foreground carpet in freshwater aquariums. Its rounded, light-green leaves are larger than those of dwarf baby tears, making it comparatively forgiving while still benefiting from strong light, reliable carbon dioxide and adequate nutrition. Plant small portions separately in moist substrate so they can root and spread without lifting.
Alternanthera reineckii 'Mini' (Mini parrot leaf)

Medium

Foreground

Alternanthera reineckii 'Mini' is a compact cultivated form of the South American stem plant Alternanthera reineckii. It develops short, densely packed shoots with red, burgundy, and pink leaves when grown submerged. The supplied identification is consistent with this cultivar, although cultivar names are commercial rather than formal botanical ranks. It is well suited to the foreground or lower middle of a planted aquarium.
Microsorum pteropus 'Narrow' (Narrow Java Fern)

Easy

On rock or root

Microsorum pteropus 'Narrow' is a narrow-leaved aquarium form of Java fern, supplied here as a Tropica InVitro plant. It forms tough green fronds from a creeping rhizome and is well suited to attachment on wood or rock. The trade name supports identification, but the precise cultivar lineage cannot be independently verified from the supplied material. It is a slow-growing, undemanding fern that tolerates modest lighting and does not require carbon dioxide supplementation.
Microsorum pteropus 'Windeløv' (Windeløv Java fern)

Easy

On rock or root

Microsorum pteropus 'Windeløv' is a cultivated Java fern form recognized by its finely branched leaf tips. It is a hardy rhizome plant suited to low-tech aquariums and is commonly attached to wood or rock rather than planted deeply in substrate. The supplied label and images support identification as this cultivar, although individual leaves can vary with growing conditions. It grows slowly and tolerates a broad range of aquarium conditions when kept stable.
Myriophyllum mattogrossense (Matto Grosso Water Milfoil)

Medium

Background

Myriophyllum mattogrossense is a fast-growing South American stem plant with finely divided, feathery leaves arranged around upright shoots. It is commonly used to create dense background growth and provides cover for small aquarium inhabitants. The supplied product label identifies this plant as M. mattogrossense; cultivated specimens can vary in leaf density and color, so visual identification alone should be treated cautiously.