Ammannia sulawesi

Ammannia sulawesi

Ammannia sulawesi is a vibrant and unusual stem plant from the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia, producing bright reddish-pink stems with narrow leaves that glow with color under high aquarium lighting. The combination of the warm reddish-pink stem color and the narrow, fine leaf form creates a plant of exceptional delicacy and elegance — a refined red accent for the background of high-tech planted aquariums.

Care tip: Ammannia sulawesi grows best in high lighting with CO₂ required. Maintain temperatures of 72–82°F and pH 6.0–7.0. Regular liquid fertilization supports healthy growth and best coloration.

Growing to 8 to 14 inches, Ammannia sulawesi is a background stem plant that develops most attractively when trimmed regularly to encourage branching and dense growth. The reddish-pink color is most vivid on actively growing stem tips under high light with CO₂ supplementation. Groups of trimmed, bushy specimens create a shimmering pink-red background accent of considerable beauty.

This is a demanding plant that requires CO₂ injection and high lighting — CO₂ is required for this species to maintain compact growth and vivid color. Temperatures between 72 and 82°F and a pH of 6.0 to 7.0 provide ideal conditions. Regular fertilization with iron and micronutrients supports the distinctive reddish-pink pigmentation. Its Sulawesi origin means it appreciates clean, well-oxygenated water with moderate circulation.

In the aquascape, Ammannia sulawesi provides a refined, delicate reddish-pink background color that is softer and more elegant than the bold reds of Alternanthera or Rotala macrandra. The narrow leaves create fine texture that contrasts naturally with broader-leaved background plants. It is a collector's species that adds geographic authenticity to Southeast Asian biotope-inspired aquascapes.

Ammannia sulawesi is a rewarding and beautiful plant for experienced aquarists who appreciate the rarer end of the red-stem spectrum. Its fine-leaved elegance and vivid reddish-pink color make it a genuinely special background plant.

Care & Specifications