Samolus Parviflorus Red

Plant Profile & Appearance

• Type: Stem plant (appears as a tight rosette/cluster under high light) .

• Height: Generally stays short (10-15cm), but can stretch taller (up to 25-30cm) in poor light .

• Color: This is entirely light dependent.

  • High Light: Deep red, compact leaves .

  • Medium Light: Orange or pink hues .

  • Low Light: Green and leggy (taller shoots) .

• Special Feature: Under high light, you may notice tiny red/brown spots on the back of the leaves. This is a distinct trait of Lysimachia parvifolia .

Water Parameters

• Temperature: 22 – 28 °C (72 – 82 °F) .

• pH: 6.0 – 7.5 (tolerant of slightly alkaline/hard water) .

• Hardness: 4 – 12 dGH (very adaptable) .

 Lighting

• Requirement: Moderate to High.

• Crucial detail: If you want it red, you must provide high light. If you neglect the light, it will look like a completely different (green) plant .

 CO₂ and Fertilization

• CO₂: Not strictly required. It is hardy and will grow in low-tech (non-CO₂) tanks . However, CO₂ injection is highly recommended for:

  • Fuller, rounder leaves.

  • Intensifying the red coloration .

• Substrate: Prefers nutrient-rich soil. Poor substrate = thin, pale leaves .

• Fertilizer: Benefits from micronutrients (especially Iron) to boost red tones .

 Placement & Growth Rate

• Placement: Primarily Midground . It stays compact enough to sometimes be used in the foreground, but generally fits best in the middle .

• Growth Rate: Slow to Moderate. This is a low-maintenance red plant because it doesn't require weekly aggressive pruning like Rotala or Ludwigia .

 Fun Fact & Propagation

• Flowers: If given the chance to grow emersed (above water) or in very stable conditions, it produces delicate tiny white flowers .

• Propagation: Very easy. Cut the stem and replant the top into the substrate .

Summary: This is one of the easier "red" plants available. Don't worry about the name confusion; just remember High Light = Red, Low Light = Green. It is very forgiving in hard water and low-tech setups, but CO₂ helps it look its best.