Samolus Parviflorus Red

Quick facts

Identity

Also known as

Samolus Red; Lysimachia Parviflora; Red Samolus

Synonyms

Lysimachia parvifolia; Samolus parviflorus 'Red'

Environment

Freshwater

Native to

China (Guangxi)

Habitat

Stream banks, ditches and rice paddy margins in limestone karst country of southern China; found fully submersed in rivers as well as growing emersed along banks

Sourcing

Aquacultured

Conservation

Not Evaluated

Care

Care level

Easy

Growth form

Stem

Max height

2 – 4 in (5.1 – 10 cm)

Spread

4 in (10 cm)

Growth rate

Moderate

Placement

Midground

Water

Temperature

64 – 82 °F (18 – 28 °C)

pH

6.0 – 8.0

GH

3 – 18 dGH

dKH

up to 8 dKH

PAR

100 – 200 PAR

Flow

Low-Moderate

Light

Medium

CO₂

Beneficial

Planting

Substrate

Nutrient-rich preferred

Feeds from

Both

Fertilizer needs

Medium

Colors

Red, Orange, Green, Brown

Feeding & breeding

Propagation

Cuttings, Rhizome division, Plantlets

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Care guide

Overview

Deep red to bronze foliage forms a tight, rosette-like cluster rather than tall spaced stems, giving this midground plant a fuller, bushier look than typical Lysimachia species. Moderate to strong lighting with iron-rich fertilization and CO2 brings out its deepest coloration, while low light leaves it thin and green. Easy-going and tolerant of harder, alkaline water, it propagates readily from cuttings and side shoots.

Care

This compact stem plant forms a tight rosette-like cluster of leaves underwater rather than the tall spaced stems typical of most Lysimachia. It tolerates a wide range of water chemistry, including harder and more alkaline water, and grows without injected CO2 or intense light, though both push growth and coloration considerably. Under weaker light the foliage stays thin and greenish, while stronger light in the 100-150+ PAR range combined with steady nutrients produces fuller, rounder, deep red leaves. Growth is moderate, so pruning is needed only occasionally to maintain a dense shape.

Planting & trimming

Plant the rooted base in substrate, though the crown does not strictly need to be buried to grow well since the plant will root and establish with the crown exposed. As it matures it produces side shoots and daughter plantlets that can be separated and replanted, and cut stem tops with visible internodes can also be trimmed and replanted like typical stem plants. Space plants a few inches apart to allow the rosette clusters to fill out without immediately shading each other.

Fertilizing

Regular liquid fertilization dosing iron and micronutrients brings out the strongest red and bronze tones, while a nutrient-rich substrate or root tabs encourage fuller, rounder leaf growth. Nutrient-poor conditions cause the foliage to thin out and fade to green. CO2 injection is not required but noticeably improves leaf density and color saturation.

Propagation

Propagates readily from stem cuttings, which root quickly when replanted in substrate. It also naturally forms side shoots and daughter plantlets around the base that can be separated once large enough and replanted in open spaces of the layout. Occasionally, individual severed leaves are reported to sprout new plantlets on their own.

Problems

Plants kept in low light or poor nutrient conditions gradually lose red pigmentation and revert to plain green, which is a sign to raise light intensity or increase fertilization rather than a disease. Overcrowded clumps tend to send up taller, leggier shoots instead of staying in a tight rosette, so thinning out crowded stems helps maintain compact growth. It is not particularly prone to melt when replanted, unlike many rosette or crypt species.

Sources

1. Lysimachia parvifolia Red care: light, CO2 and placement · TankBud
2. How to grow Lysimachia parvifolia (Samolus parviflorus red) - The 2Hr Aquarist
3. Samolus Parviflorus - Aquaristic Online
4. Lysimachia parvifolia (Samolus parviflorus 'Red') - Aquarium Plant – Cloud Aqua

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