Red Myrio

The Red Myrio (Myriophyllum tuberculatum) is a stunning, feathery stem plant native to Southeast Asia and Australia. Highly sought after in high-tech aquascaping, it is famous for its dense, needle-like leaves that turn a striking copper-red to deep orange-bronze under high light.

Name

• Scientific Name: Myriophyllum tuberculatum

• Common Names: Red Myrio, Red Water Milfoil, Dragonfire Foxtail

Characteristics

• Appearance: Features whorls of fine, needle-like leaves along upright stems that form bushy, pine-cone-like plumes. Colors range from warm golden-copper to intense reddish-orange.

• Size & Placement: Grows 12–20+ inches (30–50+ cm) tall and spreads 2–4 inches wide; ideal as a background plant or midground accent in larger aquariums.

• Care Level: Advanced—notably demanding compared to green Myriophyllum species. Requires high light, soft water, high CO2, and rich nutrients to avoid leaf drop or stunting.

• Nutrient Requirements: Demands regular dosing of micro and macro nutrients—especially iron and potassium—to maintain strong leaf structure and vibrant pigmentation.

Temperature

• Ideal Range: 72°F – 82°F (22°C – 28°C)

• Note: Thrives in stable, warm tropical aquarium setups.

Lighting

• Requirement: High to Very High

• Note: High light intensity is essential. Without strong lighting, lower leaves will quickly turn brown, rot, and shed, leaving bare stems at the bottom.

CO2: Not Required.

Propagation

• Method: Stem Cuttings

• How it works:

  1. Trim the top 4–6 inches of a healthy stem using sharp aquascaping scissors.

  2. Strip off the bottom whorls of needle leaves to leave a clean stem node.

  3. Gently insert the cut stem directly into a soft, nutrient-rich soil substrate.

  4. The parent stem will branch into multiple new side shoots, creating a bushier cluster.