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    Red Root Floater (Phyllanthus fluitans) - Algae Preventer
  • Red Root Floater (Phyllanthus fluitans) - Algae Preventer
  • Red Root Floater (Phyllanthus fluitans) - Algae Preventer
  • Red Root Floater - Portion Aqua Essentials
  • Red Root Floater (Phyllanthus fluitans) - Algae Preventer
    Red Root Floater (Phyllanthus fluitans) - Algae Preventer
  • Red Root Floater (Phyllanthus fluitans) - Algae Preventer
  • Red Root Floater (Phyllanthus fluitans) - Algae Preventer
  • Red Root Floater (Phyllanthus fluitans) - Algae Preventer
  • Red root floater - Algae preventer Aqua Essentials
  • Red root floater - Algae preventer - Aqua Essentials
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Red Root Floater (Phyllanthus fluitans) - Algae Preventer

£2.99
£2.99
Style
    Description

    Phyllanthus fluitans, commonly known as Red Root Floater, is a beautiful floating aquarium plant that spreads across the water surface in the right conditions. Once settled, it develops fine trailing roots which provide excellent cover for fry, shrimp and small fish, while also helping to shade the aquarium and take up excess nutrients.

    Best grown in open-top aquariums with calm surface movement. Avoid spray bars, air stones or heavy splashing, as the leaves dislike staying wet. Tanks with tight hoods are not ideal, as condensation can cause the plant to become waterlogged. For covered tanks, Salvinia natans is usually a better choice.

    Available in two options:

    Classic

    Imported from Holland and supplied as freshly harvested loose floating pieces. This version may arrive with little or no visible roots, which is completely normal. Red Root Floater has very fine, delicate roots which can be reduced during harvesting and transit.

    This does not mean the plant is unhealthy. Once placed in a calm, suitable aquarium, new roots usually begin to develop as the plant settles and starts growing again.

    Super Red

    Grown by Aqua Essentials from tissue culture under strong lighting. This produces better colour, stronger root growth and a more established appearance. Usually available in summer only.

    Each portion is supplied in a bag approximately 7.5cm x 2.5cm.
    Our Delivery Promise To You

    We pack every order carefully at our UK facility and dispatch quickly, so your plants and aquarium products reach you in the best possible condition.

    Order before 4pm Monday to Friday and we’ll dispatch the same day where possible. Most orders arrive within 1-2 working days.

    If something goes wrong in transit, get in touch and we’ll help put it right.

    Red Root Floater (Phyllanthus fluitans) - Algae Preventer
    Red Root Floater (Phyllanthus fluitans) - Algae Preventer
    Red Root Floater (Phyllanthus fluitans) - Algae Preventer
    Red Root Floater - Portion Aqua Essentials
    Red Root Floater (Phyllanthus fluitans) - Algae Preventer
    Red Root Floater (Phyllanthus fluitans) - Algae Preventer
    Red Root Floater (Phyllanthus fluitans) - Algae Preventer
    Red root floater - Algae preventer Aqua Essentials
    Red root floater - Algae preventer - Aqua Essentials

    Customers praised the floaters for "excellent value" and arriving in "great condition." Many reported healthy growth with "copious red trailing roots" and effective algae prevention. However, some experienced quality issues: plants arrived damaged, cut up, or dead. Transit delays and packaging concerns were noted. Fish appreciated the shade and hiding spaces.

    • Fresh red root floaters with no signs of damage or rot
    • Healthy and well rooted. Already putting out new leaves
    • Fantastic value and service
    • 5 stars: 23 (57%)
    • 4 stars: 5 (13%)
    • 3 stars: 3 (8%)
    • 2 stars: 2 (5%)
    • 1 star: 7 (18%)
    A
    Andrew H. (City of London, GB)
    Classic
    Fit:
    Very bad
    Very good
    Excellent quality plant

    The plant was well packaged and in excellent condition. Looks good.

    N
    Nick B. (Manchester, GB)
    Classic
    Fit:
    Very bad
    Very good
    Great quality and good quantity, swiftly

    Great quality and good quantity, swiftly delivered and well packaged.

    M
    Marjorie

    Nice plants.

    T
    Tom

    Order was in transit for 10 days but when it arrived it was all good

    C
    Carol

    Fantastic value and service

    n
    noah l. (Lambeth, GB)
    did not look like the picture

    obviously I know that they won't perfectly match the image but I paid extra for delivery and the plants were cut up as well as the fact they just do not look like all other images of these plants I have seen

    H
    H.N.

    Good quality good amount for my size tank

    J
    John K. (Birmingham, GB)

    Poor quality looked like somebody had hacked it up with scissors very few usable pieces what a waste

    D
    Derek

    Arrived in great condition, promptly and with no issues. Great items.

    J
    Johanna

    Fresh red root floaters with no signs of damage or rot. The container had a good handful of individual plants. Can’t wait to see them grow. Thanks!

    M
    Mark W. (Witham, GB)
    Me

    Plants were great

    S
    Sonia

    Some great roots, but some not so good. Betty's seem to like them hanging around in roots

    A
    Andrew

    Excellent price and quality

    A
    Anita M. (Bradford, GB)
    Red root floater

    Arrived well packaged. Didn't look too good in carton, no roots on any of plants. Placed in Aquarium, waiting to see if it grows roots.

    S
    S.H. (Preston, GB)
    Top notch.

    As always,everything was top notch from start to finish.
    The floaters were really nice and I got generous amount.
    I have to say ,I can't find fault.

    r
    robert f. (Newtownards, GB)
    nice plant

    nice plant , as wlways speedy delivery .

    C
    Caroline (London, GB)
    Awful, squashed, tangled

    Awful, squashed, tangled. Very tatty and a complete mess. Very cheap though. Definitely not Tropica.

    I'm sorry to read the were squashed. Will speak to the pickers to ensure they're not packed in so tight.

    R
    Riley P.
    Review

    Alot were dead on arrival, the rest are nice

    R
    Rhys R.
    Review

    Sadly all the red root floaters arrived dead. Rest of the plants came in good shape but was dissapointed in the red floaters as most were black and mush and ended up in the bin.

    D
    David R.
    Review

    The plant itself was fine but didn't take to my tank and after a while I had to remove it. I think I have too much surface water movement to suit this plant.

    K
    Kevin K.
    Review

    Only gave them 5 stars because I know they always supply great plants but unfortunately these plants were ordered just before bank holiday so was 4 days before I received them and when I opened container you could smell they had started to deteriorate ,put them in tank but they did not come back and all died.

    A
    Aaron H.
    Review

    Good condition plant, doing well in my tank

    M
    Miss P.
    Review

    Plants were well packaged and look very healthy in my tank. However it is still too early, nearly a week on, to know if they will sort out my problem with algae,

    D
    David D.
    Review

    This is. Great plant give fish shade and fry somewhere to hide

    R
    Robert K.
    Review

    Healthy and well rooted. Already putting out new leaves. Good shading for algae issue.

    R
    Roy M.
    Review

    Arrived on time in good condiition doing well in my tank

    E
    Ellen M.
    Review

    The plants where very small upon arrival and had very little roots. After being in my open-top aquarium for a few weeks they grew bigger and have started developing their red roots.

    M
    Matthew B.
    Review

    All dead on arrival instantly sunk to the bottom of the tank ????

    G
    Gillian S.
    Review

    I bought this when the Spangles were unavailable. It looks good, and has put down copious red trailing roots - hence the name! If the fishes swallow it while feeding, I notice they quickly spit it out again, so no harm done! I will wait to see if it lasts longer than the Spangles, before next purchase.

    J
    Jason M.
    Review

    I ordered some Red Root Floaters from Aqua Essentials and once again they came on time well packaged and full of life well done Aqua Essential.

    S
    Simon W.
    Review

    Looking good in the tank not trun red yet

    P
    Paul w.
    Review

    Was dead, added to two different tanks. Totally deceased plant, not impressed tbh I feel it might have been a shipping and handling issue not necessarily aqua essentials.

    Common Questions

    Do red root floaters multiply?

    Yes, red root floaters multiply quickly by producing new daughter plants from the main plant. Under good conditions, they can spread across the water surface and form a dense floating layer.

    Are red root floaters easy to grow?

    Yes, red root floaters are considered easy to grow and are suitable for beginners. They adapt well to most aquarium conditions and do not require CO2, making them ideal for low-maintenance setups.

    How fast do red root floaters grow?

    Red root floaters have a moderate to fast growth rate. In the right conditions, they can spread rapidly and may require regular thinning to prevent covering the entire water surface.

    How do you make red root floaters turn red?

    To achieve deep red coloration, provide moderate to high lighting, stable water conditions, and balanced nutrients. Low light typically results in green leaves, while stronger light promotes red roots and leaf coloration.