Perfect for Nature Aquarium, Dutch, and triangular layouts
Its rich pink-red foliage adds bold contrast and helps create a clear visual focal point in planted layouts.
Best for intermediate to advanced planted tanks
It rewards stable nutrients, stronger light, and good overall balance with better shape and stronger coloration.
Unique soft red coloration
Unlike intense crimson species, this plant develops muted pink-lilac hues that look more natural and refined.
Creates smooth color transitions
Excellent for bridging green plants and stronger red species like Rotala or Ludwigia.
Highly responsive to lighting control
Adjust intensity and nutrient levels to fine-tune color from light pink to deeper purple tones.
Origin: South America
Type: Stem plant
Growth Rate: Medium
Size: Height: 15–30 cm (6–12 in) Width: 5–10 cm (2–4 in)
Light: Medium–High (30–70+ PAR)
CO₂: Recommended (essential for best color and compact growth)
pH: 5.5 – 7.2
Temperature: 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
Natural Habitat Found in slow-moving tropical waters and seasonally flooded areas, where it grows emersed and submerged under varying light conditions.
Special Considerations Requires stable conditions to maintain coloration. Without sufficient light and nutrients, it may turn greenish or lose intensity. Regular trimming encourages bushier, more compact growth.
Did You Know? Alternanthera species were among the first plants used to introduce strong color contrast in early Dutch aquascaping layouts, but Lilacina stands out for its softer, more natural tones, making it a favorite in modern Nature Aquarium styles.
Tank Size
20 L (5 gallons) or larger recommended.
Plant Placement
Best used in the midground to background, where it can be planted in groups for stronger color impact. It pairs especially well with greener stems such as Rotala indica or Bacopa caroliniana, while Marsilea hirsuta or another low foreground plant can keep the red tones visually lifted above the substrate.
Compatible with
Suitable for peaceful community aquariums with tetras, rasboras, gouramis, shrimp, and snails. Its stronger leaf shape holds visual presence well in colorful planted tanks, especially when paired with schooling fish.
Substrate
Performs best in nutrient-rich planted substrates. In inert substrates, supplementing with root fertilizers such as Osmocote capsules can help support steady growth, and iron supplements may help maintain stronger coloration in red-toned plants.
Light Medium to high (30–70+ PAR) Photoperiod: 7–9 hours/day
Temperature 22–28°C (72–82°F)
pH 5.5 – 7.5
Hardness Soft to moderately hard water
CO₂ Recommended for best shape, color, and growth consistency.
Care & Propagation
Trim healthy tops and replant them to build fuller groups. Regular pruning encourages branching and helps the plant maintain a stronger midground shape instead of becoming leggy.
Portion Size 1 carefully selected stem bundle (typically 5–7 stems), freshly trimmed and ready for aquarium planting.
Plant Size Stems are usually 5–10 cm (3–5 in) tall at the time of packaging.
Plant Type Submerged grown stem plant, ready to plant directly into aquarium substrate.
Snail-Free & Aquarium Safe
Plants are grown without chemicals that could harm fish, shrimp, or other aquarium inhabitants and are carefully inspected to ensure they are snail-free.
Transition After Shipping
Some leaves may melt or change appearance after planting as the plant adapts to new aquarium conditions. This is a normal transition and new submerged growth will develop shortly.
Planting Guide
- Remove the protective plastic packaging.
- Gently remove the filter floss and rubber band holding the stems together.
- Rinse the stems gently with clean water.
- Separate the bundle into individual stems.
- Plant each stem about 2–3 cm (1–1.5 in) deep into the substrate.
- Leave small spacing between stems so they have room to grow and spread.
- If a stem floats out, plant it slightly deeper or at a slight angle to help it anchor.
Tip
Aquascaping tweezers from our aquascaping tool set can make planting stem plants easier and allow more precise placement in the substrate.
