Persicaria sp. 'Sao Paulo'

Persicaria 'Sao Paulo' is one of the few stem plants that goes genuinely magenta rather than red-brown. Upright stems with little side branching, holding a deep pink-purple that most reds never reach — and like most plants that color that hard, it wants light and CO₂ to do it.

What You'll Receive

Fresh, healthy Persicaria praetermissa 'Sao Paulo' cultivated and prepared by Aquarium Plants Factory®, available in convenient planting formats:

Fresh Cut Plants: Approximately 6+ loose, fresh-cut stems without roots.
Fresh Cut Bunched: Approximately 6+ stems bundled with foam and a plant weight for easy placement.
Fresh Cut Potted: About 6+ stems potted securely in a net pot with rockwool for stability and easy planting.

Plant Profile

• Common name — Sao Paulo Persicaria
• Scientific name — Persicaria sp. 'Sao Paulo'
• Also known as — Persicaria praetermissa 'Sao Paulo', São Paulo Smartweed
• Origin — Brazil
• Placement — Midground to background
• Shipped size — Approx. 6+ fresh-cut stems, no roots
• Mature height — 6-14 inches
• Suits — 10 gallons and up
• Growth rate — Medium

Care

• Difficulty — Intermediate
• Light — Medium to high; high light is what produces the magenta
• CO₂ — Recommended
• Water — 68-82°F, pH 6.0-7.5
• Substrate — Nutrient-rich soil or root tabs, plus water column dosing
• Growth habit — Amphibious stem; green emersed, magenta submersed
• Propagation — Cuttings

Grower's Notes

• It ships green and that is correct. Our stock is grown emersed with plain green foliage. The magenta develops only after the plant converts to submersed growth under strong light — judge it on the third set of leaves, not the first.
• Magenta, not red. Most red stem plants land somewhere between rust and wine. Sao Paulo goes pink-purple, which is why it stands out in a tank that already has reds in it.
• It branches poorly, so plant a group. Stems grow straight up with little lateral shooting. Density comes from planting several together, not from waiting for one stem to bush out.
• Older stems drop their lower leaves and put out roots at the nodes. Cut the healthy tops, replant them, and pull the bare bases rather than trying to nurse them back.
• Color is what separates it from Persicaria sp. 'Kawagoeanum', which is sometimes sold under this name. The two are very similar in leaf shape and size — the difference shows once they color up: Sao Paulo goes pink-purple, Kawagoeanum orange-red.

Notes

• This plant is shipped in its emersed form with green foliage. Coloration will intensify after submersion under high light and CO₂. Temporary leaf drop or adjustment is normal during transition. For best results, maintain stable parameters and strong lighting.
• Never release aquarium plants into natural waterways.

At a glance

• Free shipping on orders of $150 or more (after discounts) within the contiguous United States, by USPS.
• Free thermal protection is included with every shipment, all year round.
• Processing: most orders leave us within 1 to 2 business days. Tracking is emailed when your order ships.
• USPS (2 to 5 business days) ships Monday through Saturday.
• UPS 2nd Day Air® ships Monday through Wednesday. Order by Tuesday at 6:00 AM Pacific Time for same-week delivery.
• UPS Next Day Air® ships Monday through Thursday. Order by Wednesday at 6:00 AM Pacific Time for same-week delivery.
• Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands and military addresses ship by USPS at a flat rate shown at checkout.
• Weather holds: during extreme heat or cold we may hold live orders until it's safe to ship.
• We ship within the United States only.

Please bring live plants indoors and unpack them the day they arrive. Every live order is covered by our 24-Hour Live Arrival Guarantee.

The complete rules, including lost packages and address issues, are in our Shipping Policy. If anything conflicts, that policy applies.

Every live order is backed by our 24-Hour Live Arrival Guarantee. If a plant arrives dead, we'll make it right.

How it works

• Tell us within 24 hours of the delivery time on your tracking.
• Send photos of the affected items in their original, unopened packaging, plus a photo of the shipping label, to hello@aquariumplantsfactory.com with your order number.
• We'll make it right with a replacement, store credit or refund for the affected item.

Good to know

• Some melting or yellowing as plants adjust from greenhouse to aquarium life is normal. They regrow from healthy roots and rhizomes.
• Please bring your package indoors and unpack it the day it arrives.
• Free promotional items and shipping charges are not covered.

The complete rules, including what's covered and what voids the guarantee, are in our Returns, Refunds & Live Arrival Guarantee. If anything conflicts, that policy applies.

Please review your state's regulations on restricted plants, as we are committed to not shipping plants that are restricted in your area. Do not release any plants into the wild or waterways, as this can harm local ecosystems by introducing invasive species.

Your cooperation in protecting the environment is appreciated. For continuously updated information, refer to the USDA State Noxious Weed list here.

Thank you for your responsible commitment to environmental preservation.