Ammannia gracilis
Tall background stem with broad, slightly twisted leaves that flush copper-red to violet under high light. Less brittle than Rotala macrandra but with similar colour potential. Reads as a single block of red in the background, useful as a contrast wall behind green stems.
Ammannia Gracilis (Ammannia gracilis) is a stem aquatic plant for the background of a planted tank. It reaches 30–60 cm under good conditions and grows at a medium rate. Light: high. CO₂: required. Target 22–28 °C, pH 5.5–7.5, and 2–15 dGH. Substrate: Aquasoil + iron dosing. Propagate via top cuttings.
Care at a glance
Tall background stem with broad, slightly twisted leaves that flush copper-red to violet under high light. Less brittle than Rotala macrandra but with similar colour potential. Reads as a single block of red in the background, useful as a contrast wall behind green stems.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated 1 min read
Part of our complete guide to the planted aquarium.
The parameters that decide whether ammannia gracilis fits in your tank.
Lythraceae
Stem
Background
Aquasoil + iron dosing
Top cuttings
West Africa, Senegal to Cameroon
West Africa, Senegal to Cameroon
Tank-mate safety and the species this one is documented to thrive (or fail) alongside.
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
CO₂ requirement: required. Light requirement: high. Under stable injected CO₂ the plant grows at a medium rate.
Ammannia Gracilis (Ammannia gracilis) needs high light. Run a photoperiod of 6–8 hours; longer photoperiods invite algae unless CO₂ and dosing are dialled in.
Position: background. Substrate: Aquasoil + iron dosing It typically reaches 30–60 cm.
Propagation method: Top cuttings. Ammannia Gracilis is a stem plant.
Target 22–28 °C, pH 5.5–7.5, and 2–15 dGH. Flow tolerance: low to medium.
Difficulty: 3/5. Intermediate, stable parameters and a mature tank matter.
A planted tank is a system. Pair this plant with one entry from each other pillar to plan the whole scape.
