TankBud

Lysimachia parvifolia Red

Lysimachia parvifolia 'Red'

Also known as Samolus parviflorus Red, Samolus Red

FreshwaterStemCuttingsSide shoots

Lysimachia parvifolia Red (Lysimachia parvifolia 'Red')
Aquarium Plants Factory · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Light
Medium light
CO2
CO₂ beneficial
Temperature
64–82°F
18–28°C
Max height
7.9 in
20 cm
Growth rate
Medium
Placement
Midground
Type
Stem
pH
6.0–8.0
Hardness
3–18 dGH
Spread
7.9 in (20 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Root + water column
Growth region
Submersed or emersed
Difficulty
Easy
Family
Primulaceae
Origin
South and southeast China; the traded form was collected growing submersed in a river in the limestone region of Guangxi

Overview

Lysimachia parvifolia Red is an easy, compact accent plant for the midground.

Did you know

Lysimachia parvifolia Red spent its first years in the hobby filed under the wrong genus. Its submersed leaves look convincingly like Samolus. Only the emersed form, with alternate narrow leaves and small white flowers, gave away that it is a Lysimachia.

Caring for Lysimachia parvifolia Red

Set the stems of Lysimachia parvifolia Red in the substrate one at a time. It stays around 10 to 20 cm in both height and spread. Hard, alkaline water does not bother it, and a pH of 6 to 8 suits it.

It is undemanding for a red plant and shows reddish tones even under medium light. The color scales with light, turning deep red only under strong light of at least 100 micromoles PAR. It grows without injected CO2, but CO2 and steady nutrients fill the leaves out further. It feeds through both roots and leaves, so root tabs and a liquid fertilizer both help.

It grows at a moderate pace. Trim it regularly to keep the shape compact, and replant the cut shoots, which root readily. Even single severed leaves can sprout new plantlets. Keep the water between 64 and 82°F (18 to 28°C).

Good to know

Lysimachia parvifolia Red is a loosestrife in the family Primulaceae, and parvifolia means small-leaved. It entered the hobby under the name Samolus parviflorus 'Red'. Underwater it grows several short shoots in a broad, rosette-like habit rather than the tall stems typical of aquarium Lysimachia. It is one of the few reliably red plants in the genus.

In the wild

Lysimachia parvifolia Red is native to wet places across south and southeast China, on stream banks, in ditches and around rice paddies. The traded plant comes from a population growing fully submersed in a river in the limestone country of Guangxi. That explains why it takes harder, more alkaline water in stride. It is amphibious and sends up taller flowering shoots when emersed.

Common questions

Does Lysimachia parvifolia Red need to be planted in the substrate?

Yes. Strip the leaves from the lower part of each stem, then push the stems into the substrate one at a time, a little apart.

Does Lysimachia parvifolia Red need CO2?

No, but it helps. Lysimachia parvifolia Red can grow without injected CO2, and added CO2 makes it grow faster.

How much light does Lysimachia parvifolia Red need?

Lysimachia parvifolia Red wants medium light. A light sold for planted tanks covers it.

Does Lysimachia parvifolia Red need root tabs?

They help. Lysimachia parvifolia Red takes nutrients through both its roots and its leaves. Root tabs near its roots and a liquid fertilizer cover both.

How do you propagate Lysimachia parvifolia Red?

Lysimachia parvifolia Red propagates by cuttings and side shoots. Cut off the top of a stem and replant it, and the stump left behind grows new shoots. Cut a side shoot off once it has a few leaves and plant it on its own.

How tall does Lysimachia parvifolia Red grow?

Lysimachia parvifolia Red grows to about 7.9 in (20 cm) tall. It grows at a moderate pace.

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