Plant Profile Samolus parviflorus ‘Red’ is a hardy stem plant with soft red, orange, and bronze foliage that slowly builds into compact, full bushes. Give it medium to high light, and it leans into its pinks and reds; keep light low, and it settles back into greens and oranges. Under richer nutrients and brighter conditions, its leaves round out and deepen into lush crimson‑and‑copper tones, making it an easy way to slip midground color into Dutch‑style and nature layouts. *Form Notice: Photos display this plant in both its emersed (above-water) and submerged forms. Depending on nursery availability and seasonality, you may receive this plant in either form. Learn more about what to expect by reading our guide on Emersed vs. Submerged-Grown Aquatic Plants. Key Features & Benefits Soft red, copper, and orange foliage forms lush midground bushes and focal points. Slow-to-moderate growth, low-maintenance, and easy to keep neatly shaped. Hardy, flexible care, adds warm accent color without extreme maintenance. Care & Planting Instructions Prep the plant by removing it from the pot and clearing all rockwool from the roots. Use fine-tip pinsettes to push individual stem clusters 1 to 2 inches into nutrient-rich substrate, spacing them slightly apart so light reaches lower growth. Provide moderate-to-high lighting. While adaptable under medium light, adding pressurized CO2 and iron supplementation encourages rounder leaves and deeper red tones. See our guide to growing red aquarium plants. Maintain stable water parameters and avoid sudden environmental shifts to prevent leaf melt or stem rotting. Propagate by separating dense stem clusters or trimming shoot tops with straight scissors, replanting trimmings directly into the substrate. Read our trimming & propagation guide for details. Quick Facts Listed information should be treated as general guidelines only. Team Buce Plant encourages you to do thorough research to ensure healthy growth! Attribute Specification Scientific Name Samolus parviflorus 'Red' Common Name(s) Samolus Parviflorus Red, Red Samolus Family Primulaceae Plant Type / Taxonomy Stem Plant Care Difficulty Easy to Intermediate Light Requirement Moderate to High CO2 Requirement Recommended (Essential for fuller, redder leaves) Placement / Usage Midground Bushing Height / Size 4–8”+ Growth Rate Slow to Moderate Water Parameters pH 6.0–7.5 Propagation Method Separate clusters / Stem Cuttings Origin South China / Cultivated Frequently Asked Questions 1. Why are the lower leaves falling off my stem plants? Lower leaf loss (leggy stems) usually occurs when lighting cannot reach the bottom of the plant due to overcrowding or shading from larger plants. Spacing individual stems slightly apart during initial planting and maintaining strong light penetration will keep lower leaves healthy. 2. How do I get my Samolus Parviflorus Red to display deep red colors? Providing stronger lighting, pressurized CO2, a nutrient-dense aquarium soil, and regular iron dosing encourages deeper, richer red and copper hues. Under low lighting or poor nutrients, the foliage may revert to thinner, greener growth. 3. How do I transition Samolus Parviflorus Red from emersed to submerged growth? When transitioning from emersed to submerged growth, plant bare stems securely into rich substrate under moderate-to-high lighting and keep water parameters stable. As new growth adapts, the plant will shed its land foliage and sprout fuller, colorful underwater leaves. Once new shoots develop, trim away old lower growth to encourage compact branching.
