How does the red color of aquatic plants come about?
So-called anthocyanins are responsible for the red color. These are red dyes that are created to protect the respective plant from strong UV radiation. They absorb the short-wave UV rays of light and thus prevent damage to the inside of the leaf by these dangerous rays.
Note: You can compare this special "effect" very well with the brown coloration of human skin. The tan your skin, the longer you can sit in the sun without additional UV protection (sun cream).
Which aquatic plants bring red accents to your aquarium
Here are examples of easy-care red aquatic plants at a glance:
- Red tiger lotus
- Rotala rotundifolia
- Ruby red Ludwigia
- Hygrophila pinnatifida
General note: Some red plants are more sensitive than others - they are more likely to develop anthocyanins. "Sensitive" only refers to the effect of light on the color. The more sensitive they react, the less light it takes to make them glow.
