TankBud

Myriophyllum Roraima

Myriophyllum sp. 'Roraima'

Also known as Roraima milfoil, Bronze Roraima milfoil, Myriophyllum aquaticum 'Roraima'

FreshwaterStemCuttingsSide shoots

Myriophyllum Roraima (Myriophyllum sp. 'Roraima')
Buce Plant · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Light
High light
CO2
CO₂ beneficial
Temperature
50–82°F
10–28°C
Max height
23.6 in
60 cm
Growth rate
Fast
Placement
Background
Type
Stem
pH
5.0–7.5
Hardness
2–14 dGH
Spread
2 in (5 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Root + water column
Growth region
Submersed or emersed
Difficulty
Medium
Family
Haloragaceae
Origin
Brazil (Roraima state)

Overview

Myriophyllum Roraima is a red milfoil for the background, easier than most of its red relatives. It is of medium difficulty and also works as a Dutch-style accent.

Did you know

Myriophyllum Roraima colors up and grows in cooler water, unlike the fussier Myriophyllum tuberculatum. That makes it one of the few red stem plants for a coldwater or lightly heated aquarium.

Caring for Myriophyllum Roraima

Strip the lower leaves and plant the stems one at a time near the back. Myriophyllum Roraima needs high light. It grows without injected CO2, but strong light plus CO2 brings out its best orange, bronze and deep red tones.

It feeds through its roots and from the water. Pair root tabs with a balanced liquid dosing routine of macro and micro nutrients to keep the color strong.

It grows fast and tall, to about 24 in (60 cm). Cut and replant the tops to propagate it, and the stumps push new side shoots. It takes 50 to 82°F (10 to 28°C), so it also suits unheated setups.

Good to know

Myriophyllum Roraima is an undescribed Myriophyllum in the watermilfoil family Haloragaceae. It is sometimes mislabeled as a form of Myriophyllum aquaticum, but the aquarium plant is not that species. It first spread through Japanese aquascaping around 2010 before reaching Europe. Its upright, reddish-brown stems carry feathery whorled leaves.

In the wild

Myriophyllum Roraima is a collector milfoil, linked by its trade name to the Roraima region of northern Brazil. No precise wild locality is documented.

Common questions

Does Myriophyllum Roraima 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 Myriophyllum Roraima need CO2?

No, but it helps. Myriophyllum Roraima can grow without injected CO2, and added CO2 makes it grow faster.

How much light does Myriophyllum Roraima need?

Myriophyllum Roraima needs high light from a strong planted-tank LED. In weaker light its stems stretch and drop their lower leaves.

Does Myriophyllum Roraima need root tabs?

They help. Myriophyllum Roraima takes nutrients through both its roots and its leaves. Root tabs near its roots and a liquid fertilizer cover both.

How do you propagate Myriophyllum Roraima?

Myriophyllum Roraima 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 Myriophyllum Roraima grow?

Myriophyllum Roraima grows to about 23.6 in (60 cm) tall. It grows fast, so expect to trim it often.

Related plants