- Sku:
- Vendor: Squeaky's Aquatics
Florida Ruffle (Alternanthera ficoidea 'Florida Ruffle')
Florida Ruffle (Alternanthera ficoidea 'Florida Ruffle') is a compact ornamental prized for its densely ruffled leaves splashed with green, pink, copper, and cream. It brings vivid color to terrariums, vivariums, paludariums, and riparium shelves, staying low and bushy with regular pinching. Pair it with mosses and ferns from our live plant selection for a colorful emersed display.
Care Guide
- Emersed only: plant it in moist substrate with the foliage in humid air. It is not meant for permanent full submersion.
- Lighting: bright light brings out the strongest pink and copper tones. In dim light it reverts toward plain green.
- Humidity: thrives in the high humidity of a closed terrarium or paludarium.
- Shaping: pinch the growing tips regularly to keep it bushy and compact.
- Watering: keep the substrate moist but not waterlogged.
Specifications
| Scientific Name | Alternanthera ficoidea 'Florida Ruffle' |
| Common Names | Florida Ruffle, Party Time, Ruffled Joseph's Coat |
| Care Level | Beginner (emersed) |
| Setup | Terrarium, vivarium, paludarium, riparium |
| Placement | Land or water's edge, foliage above water |
| Height | 6 to 12 inches |
| Lighting | Moderate to high (drives color) |
| Humidity | High |
| Temperature | 65 to 82°F |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Origin | South America (ornamental) |
| Sold As | Potted |
| Pickup | In-store pickup only |
Compatibility
Florida Ruffle is a colorful accent for planted vivariums and paludariums with dart frogs, tree frogs, and other humidity-loving inhabitants, and it brightens riparium shelves above an aquarium. It pairs well with mosses and ferns. It is not suitable for fully submersed aquascapes.
Recommended Foods & Supplies
- CaribSea Eco-Complete rooting substrate for riparium and paludarium use
- Ground-cover mosses to fill around it
- More live plants for terrariums and aquascapes
FAQ
Can Florida Ruffle live underwater in my aquarium? Not for the long term. It is a riparium and terrarium plant grown emersed. Submerged permanently it slowly melts.
How do I keep the pink and copper color? Give it bright light. Low light pushes it back toward plain green.
How do I keep it bushy? Pinch the tips regularly to encourage branching.
What setups is it best for? Terrariums, vivariums, paludariums, and riparium shelves with high humidity.
Have a question?
Florida Ruffle (Alternanthera ficoidea 'Florida Ruffle')
