Tropica Ranunculus Inundatus

Ranunculus inundatus, the River Buttercup or Stream Crowfoot, is a small aquatic plant from Australia and New Zealand where it grows in shallow, fast-flowing streams and rivers. Its deeply lobed, fan-shaped leaves with 3–7 rounded divisions arranged in a compact rosette create an immediately distinctive, palm-like or hand-like appearance unlike any other aquarium plant.

In the aquarium, this plant creates remarkable textural contrast in the foreground to midground — the unusual compound leaf form provides visual interest and a distinctive, naturalistic appearance. Its compact growth habit (10–15 cm height) and neat rosette formation make it suitable for foreground placement in medium aquariums or as a midground accent in smaller tanks.

Ranunculus inundatus is a moderately demanding plant that requires medium to strong light and benefits from CO2 injection for active, healthy growth. Without CO2, it grows very slowly and may decline over time. It also prefers cooler water temperatures (18–24°C), reflecting its Australian/New Zealand origin — it struggles in very warm tropical tanks.

Tropica produces this as a quality tissue culture plant for algae-free introduction.

Light: Medium to high light (25–60 PAR) for compact, healthy growth.

CO2: CO2 injection (15–25 mg/L) recommended for active growth. Without CO2, growth is very slow.

Temperature: Prefers cooler water (18–24°C). Struggles above 26°C — not suitable for very warm tropical setups.

Substrate: Nutrient-rich substrate or root tabs support root feeding. Benefits from comprehensive liquid fertilization.

Placement: Foreground to midground. Individual plants or small groups of 3–5. Excellent as a focal accent plant.

Maintenance: Moderate. Remove yellowing outer leaves. Propagate by dividing the rosette when multiple crowns develop.

Water Parameters: pH 6.0–7.5, temperature 18–24°C, GH 4–15.