Ammannia gracilis Submersed 10–15cm – Red Aquarium Stem Plant

Ammannia gracilis is a striking freshwater stem plant prized for its warm orange, pink and red foliage. It makes an excellent feature plant in planted aquariums where you want strong colour contrast against green plants.

This plant is supplied in its submersed form at approximately 10–15cm, meaning it has already been growing underwater before sale. This can help reduce the adjustment period compared with plants transitioning from emersed growth.

Ammannia gracilis is best suited to aquarists with some planted-tank experience. It can survive under moderate conditions, but its best colour and compact growth are achieved with strong lighting, consistent nutrients and supplemental CO2.

Quick Care Guide

• Scientific Name: Ammannia gracilis
• Common Names: Ammannia gracilis, Red Ammannia
• Plant Type: Stem plant
• Supplied Size: Approximately 10–15cm
• Growth Form: Submersed
• Care Level: Intermediate
• Growth Rate: Medium to Fast under good conditions
• Placement: Midground to Background
• Adult Height: Approximately 30–50cm or more
• Lighting: Medium to High; strong light recommended for best colour
• Temperature: Approximately 22–28°C
• pH: Approximately 6.0–7.5
• Water Hardness: Soft to moderately hard
• CO2: Strongly recommended for best growth and colour
• Propagation: Stem cuttings and side shoots
• Origin: Tropical West and Central Africa

Orange, Pink & Red Aquarium Colour

Ammannia gracilis is grown primarily for its beautiful colour. Depending on aquarium conditions, the leaves can range from greenish-yellow and bronze through to orange, pink-red and deeper reddish tones.

Lighting has a major influence on appearance. Under moderate light the plant may remain greener or yellow-orange, while stronger light combined with good nutrition and CO2 generally produces much stronger red and pink colouration.

This makes Ammannia gracilis an excellent contrast plant for aquascapes containing mostly green stem plants, ferns and rhizome plants.

Lighting Requirements

Ammannia gracilis performs best under medium to high aquarium lighting.

If the lighting is too weak, growth may become stretched and the plant may lose much of the red colour that makes it so attractive.

Higher lighting should be balanced with adequate CO2 and nutrients. Increasing light without supporting plant growth can encourage algae rather than producing healthier plants.

Does Ammannia gracilis Need CO2?

Ammannia gracilis can survive without injected CO2 in some aquariums, but CO2 is strongly recommended if you want compact growth, healthy foliage and strong red colour.

In a higher-light aquascape, controlled CO2 supplementation can make a substantial difference to both growth rate and appearance.

This is therefore better considered an intermediate planted-aquarium species rather than an easy low-tech plant.

Fertilising Ammannia gracilis

Ammannia gracilis responds well to consistent access to both macro and micronutrients.

A balanced fertilisation routine should provide the nutrients needed for healthy stem and leaf development, including appropriate nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and trace elements.

Iron and other micronutrients can contribute to healthy red plant growth, but more fertiliser does not automatically mean more red colour. Lighting, CO2 and overall plant health all need to remain balanced.

Browse our Aquascaping Supplies range for planted aquarium substrates, fertilisers, lighting and other equipment.

Where to Plant Ammannia gracilis

Because Ammannia gracilis can grow tall, it is generally best used in the midground to background of an aquarium.

Several stems planted together create a strong block of warm colour. For the best growth, separate individual stems slightly rather than planting them tightly together in one clump.

This allows more light and water circulation around the lower leaves and gives each stem room to develop.

Browse our Live Aquarium Plants range for other plants to combine with Ammannia gracilis.

Trimming & Propagation

Ammannia gracilis is easily propagated from stem cuttings.

When a stem becomes too tall:

1. Trim a healthy upper section with clean aquascaping scissors.
2. Remove any leaves that would sit below the substrate.
3. Replant the cutting into the aquarium substrate.
4. Leave the original rooted stem in place if it remains healthy.

The original stem can develop new side shoots below the cut, while the replanted top continues growing as a new plant.

Regular trimming and replanting can gradually create a dense, colourful group.

Submersed-Grown Aquarium Plant

This Ammannia gracilis is supplied as a submersed-grown plant. It has already been grown underwater rather than being supplied entirely in its above-water nursery form.

Some adjustment can still occur when the plant moves between different aquariums because lighting, water chemistry, nutrients and CO2 levels change. Minor leaf loss shortly after planting does not necessarily mean the plant has failed.

Watch the new growth at the top of the stems to judge how well the plant is adapting to your aquarium.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ammannia gracilis easy to grow?

It is best considered an intermediate aquarium plant. It can tolerate moderate conditions, but strong lighting, consistent nutrients and CO2 are recommended if you want healthy compact growth and its best red colour.

Does Ammannia gracilis need CO2?

Injected CO2 is not absolutely essential for survival in every aquarium, but it is strongly recommended for the best growth, colour and overall appearance, particularly under strong lighting.

How tall does Ammannia gracilis grow?

It commonly reaches around 30–50cm in aquariums and can grow taller when allowed to develop without regular trimming.

Where should Ammannia gracilis be planted?

It is generally best placed in the midground or background because of its upright growth and eventual height.

How do I make Ammannia gracilis red?

Strong aquarium lighting, adequate CO2 and balanced plant nutrition help encourage orange, pink and red colouration. Plants kept under lower light are more likely to remain green or yellow-orange.

How do I propagate Ammannia gracilis?

Trim a healthy stem and replant the upper cutting into the substrate. The remaining rooted stem can also produce new side shoots.

What does submersed 10–15cm mean?

It means the plant has been grown underwater and is supplied at approximately 10–15cm in length. Natural variation between individual live plants should be expected.

Live aquarium plants naturally vary in size, colour and growth form. The stated 10–15cm size is approximate. Colour intensity depends on aquarium lighting, nutrients, CO2 and other growing conditions.