Vallisneria gigantea 'Red'

Vallisneria gigantea 'Red' is a cultivar of the giant Philippine Vallisneria selected for leaves that are suffused with burgundy-red pigmentation along their entire length. The red colouration is most intense under moderate to bright light and with adequate iron supplementation, creating a dramatic, warm-toned backdrop that contrasts strikingly with green plants in the midground and foreground. Like the parent species it grows very large — leaves can reach 1–2 metres — and is best reserved for tanks of 200 litres or more. It retains the same undemanding nature as V. gigantea, tolerating hard, alkaline water without CO2 injection. Regular leaf removal and thinning keeps the display tidy.

Light: Medium to high (40–80 PAR); red pigmentation most vivid under brighter illumination. CO2: Beneficial; supplementation intensifies red colouration and growth rate. Fertilisation: Heavy root feeder — root tabs every 2–3 months; weekly liquid iron is essential for colour. Placement: Background of very large tanks; plant singly or in small groups of 2–3 at the rear corners. Propagation: Prolific runners; remove excess daughter plants to prevent the tank being overwhelmed.