Ammania gracilis

Ammannia gracilis is known in the aquarium hobby as one of the most colourful stem plants. It is native to West Africa (Senegambia) where it occurs as swamp plant in full sun, at sandy riverbanks and in floodplains. The plant is able to grow above and under water. In its terrestrial form its leaves are inconspicuously green. However under water it develops its up to 12 cm long submerged leaves. The upper side of the leaves is brown-red, the lower side deeply violet. 

The Red Ammannia is one of the more demanding aquarium plants. It should get much light; complete macro- and micronutrient supply, also via the bottom, is important. Rather soft water is beneficial, but with CO₂ addition the plant also thrives in medium hard water. It prefers higher temperatures above 24 °C and still tolerates 32 °C. Several stems of different length should be planted into the ground with some space to each other. 

With its broad shoots and splendid brown-red coloration, the Red Ammannia looks best as a group in the midground of larger aquariums. It is well suited for creating "plant streets" in Dutch style tanks.

*Pictures are not the actual plants you will receive, but a sample representation.