Photo: Johannes Zorn (1739-1799) / Public domain

Red Mangrove Care

Rhizophora mangle · Rhizophoraceae

🐾 Pet-safe 🎯 Moderate ☀️ Full sun 💧 Every 7 days

🕮 5 min read 🕓 Last reviewed: 2026-08-23

Care at a glance

Light

Full sun

Temperature

18–32 °C (64–90 °F)

Soil

a nutrient-rich aquarium substrate (or attached to wood/rock)

Difficulty

Moderate

Mature size

30–120 cm (12–47 in)

Pet safety

Pet-safe

Care effort High

The short version

A little attention keeps it happy.
Give it Full sun.
Water every 7–7 days.
Safe around cats and dogs.

The Red Mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) is an aquatic plant grown submerged in freshwater aquariums. It comes from Tropical coasts and is rated Moderate to keep, reaching 30–120 cm. Here is how to grow it underwater — lighting, substrate, CO₂, placement and propagation.

Also known asRhizophora mangleマングローブ美洲红树Mangle rojoPalétuvier rouge

📋Quick facts

Growth rate	Slow
Mature size	30–120 cm (12–47 in)
Native region	Tropical coasts
Plant family	Rhizophoraceae
Toxicity	Non-toxic
Air-purifying	No
Ideal for	homes with pets, filling a corner

⚖️Pros & cons

Pros

Non-toxic to cats and dogs
Big, room-defining presence

Cons

Needs high humidity to look its best
Needs a bright, sunny spot
Slow grower — patience required

🐟Growing it in an aquarium

Keep the water at 18–32 °C. Stable, gently moving water and regular partial water changes keep it healthy; sudden swings in temperature or chemistry cause melting.

Light

Give it Full sun-equivalent aquarium lighting. Low-tech tanks suit undemanding species; brighter light (and often CO₂) brings out the best colour and compact growth but also feeds algae, so balance it carefully.

Soil

Plant it in a nutrient-rich aquarium substrate (or attached to wood/rock). Rooted species are hungry feeders — use root tabs or a liquid aquarium fertiliser (and CO₂ for demanding types). Epiphytes like Anubias, Java fern and Bucephalandra must NOT be buried: tie or glue their rhizome to wood or rock, or they rot.

Its size and habit suit a spot in the foreground, midground or background depending on how tall it grows; trim and replant tops to keep it dense.

✂️How to propagate, step by step

Spring and early summer, during active growth, give the best success. Here is how to do it, step by step:

seed

Sow fresh seed onto the surface of moist, fine seed-starting mix.
Cover lightly only if the seed needs darkness; most need warmth of 20–25 °C.
Keep humid under a clear cover in bright, indirect light.
Germination ranges from days to months depending on the species — be patient.
Prick seedlings out into their own small pots once they have a few true leaves.

🔬Classification

Plant type	Aquatic plant
Genus	Rhizophora
Family	Rhizophoraceae · Rhizophoraceae
Native to	Tropical coasts

🩺Common problems

Symptom	Likely cause	What to do
Yellowing leaves	Usually overwatering or poor drainage	Let the soil dry more between waterings and make sure the pot drains.
Dropping leaves	A sudden change in light, temperature, or watering	Keep conditions stable and avoid moving it often.
Soft, mushy base (root rot)	Waterlogged soil	Repot into fresh dry mix, trim rotten roots, and water less.

🩺 Plant Doctor →

🐛Pests & prevention

The usual indoor pests are spider mites (fine webbing, speckled leaves), mealybugs (white cotton-wool tufts), scale (small brown bumps), and fungus gnats (tiny flies from soggy soil). Inspect any new plant before it joins the others, wipe the leaves now and then, and let the topsoil dry to keep gnats away. At the first sign, isolate the plant, wipe or rinse off what you can, and treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil every week until it is clear.

🐾Is it safe for pets?

Good news for pet owners: the Red Mangrove is considered non-toxic to both cats and dogs by the ASPCA. It is one of the safer choices for homes with animals, though eating any plant can still cause mild stomach upset.

Toxicity information is a general guide based on ASPCA data. If your pet or child may have eaten any part of a plant, contact a vet or poison control right away.