Red myriophyllum

Myriophyllum tuberculatum

Also known as Red watermilfoil, Red water milfoil, Myriophyllum sp. 'Red'

FreshwaterStemCuttingsSide shoots

Care at a glance

Light: High light
CO2: CO₂ required
Growth rate: Fast
Placement: Background
Type: Stem
Temperature: 68–82°F (20–28°C)
pH: 5.0–7.0
Hardness: 0–8 dGH
Max height: 11.8 in (30 cm)
Spread: 3.9 in (10 cm)
Nutrient uptake: Root + water column
Growth region: Submersed or emersed
Difficulty: Difficult
Origin: Tropical Asia and Australia (India, Pakistan, southern China, Malaysia, Indonesia)
Family: Haloragaceae

Overview

One of the most demanding milfoils. It needs strong light (roughly 0.8 watts per liter or more), pressurized CO2, and generous iron and micronutrient dosing to develop its red and orange color, otherwise it fades to a dull, stunted green. Trim by removing the old base and replanting the strong upper section, since the rooted stump reshoots slowly. Best kept as a midground to background accent in high-tech and Dutch-style tanks.

In the wild

Grows in slow-flowing and stagnant tropical waters across southern Asia and into Australia, from India and Pakistan through Malaysia and Indonesia. It is a submerged milfoil with fine, feathery whorled leaves that fan out on upright reddish stems.

Good to know

A member of the watermilfoil family Haloragaceae. It is sometimes confused in the trade with Myriophyllum mattogrossense, but the two are distinct species with different native ranges. Like other Myriophyllum it has finely dissected pinnate leaves arranged in whorls around the stem.

Did you know

The intensity of its red depends heavily on lighting and iron. Under weak light it stays green and small, but under high light with steady micronutrients it turns a vivid orange-red, which is why competition aquascapers use it as a color highlight.