Brazilian milfoil (Myriophyllum aquaticum) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Parrot's feather, Parrot feather watermilfoil, Myriophyllum brasiliense, Myriophyllum proserpinacoides
Family
Haloragaceae (water milfoil family)
Origin
South America (Amazon region); now on every continent except Antarctica
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
150 cm
Temperature
10–28°C
pH
6–7.5
Hardness
2–15 dGH
Care level
beginner
Lighting
High light; CO2 not needed

Care

Legal note: this plant may not be sold on Aquatic-Auctions to buyers in Great Britain. It is on the GB list of invasive species (check GOV.UK for the current rules). Parrot's feather is a South American milfoil with feathery blue-green to grey-green leaves in whorls of four to six. It is mainly a marginal and emergent plant: stems can reach more than 1.5 m, with leaves standing up to about 30 cm above the water. Almost all plants outside South America are female and spread only from fragments. Water milfoils (Myriophyllum) are submerged aquatic plants with long stems and whorls of finely divided, feather-like leaves; Australia is the centre of diversity for the genus. It was banned from sale in England and Wales in 2014 and is on the EU list of invasive species of Union concern; several US states also ban it. Dense mats shade out native plants and block channels. Underwater it grows soft, fine stems but usually reaches for the surface. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. Never release it or put trimmings in drains or waterways. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myriophyllumaquaticum); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myriophyllum); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Spreads from any stem fragment, which is why it is so invasive. Outside South America it does not set seed.

Compatibility and tank mates

Fine-leaved stems trap debris and are grazed by goldfish, silver dollars and large cichlids. Shrimp, fry and small tetras and rasboras suit it well; avoid strong flow and heavy diggers.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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