Works beautifully in Nature Aquarium and Dutch layouts
Its compact size allows for precise placement without overwhelming the layout.
Great for intermediate and advanced planted tanks
Responds best to stable conditions, strong lighting, and consistent nutrients.
Displays deep red to pink tones
Strong lighting enhances its color, creating bold contrast with green plants.
Naturally compact growth habit
Unlike larger Alternanthera varieties, it stays low and forms controlled bushes.
Forms dense clusters with trimming
Regular pruning encourages side shoots and tight, structured plant groups.
Origin: Cultivated form of Alternanthera reineckii (South America)
Type: Stem plant
Growth Rate: Slow to medium
Size: Height: 5–15 cm (2–6 in) Width: 5–10 cm (2–4 in)
Natural Habitat:
The parent species grows along tropical riverbanks and floodplains in South America, where fluctuating water levels and strong sunlight support both submerged and emersed growth.
Special Considerations:
Requires stable lighting, nutrients, and CO₂ to maintain compact growth. In lower light, stems tend to stretch and lose density.
Did You Know?
Alternanthera reineckii “Mini” was selectively cultivated for aquascaping to provide the intense red coloration of standard Alternanthera in a much smaller and more manageable form.
Tank Size:
20 L (5 gallons) or larger recommended.
Plant Placement: Best used as a foreground to midground accent plant where it forms dense, low bushes. It pairs well with carpeting plants such as Monte Carlo or dwarf hairgrass in the foreground, while taller green stems like Rotala Indica or Limnophila Sessiliflora create contrast behind it. It can also be placed near rocks and driftwood to soften transitions and add depth.
Compatibility: Suitable for peaceful community aquariums with species such as neon tetras, cardinal tetras, rasboras, guppies, Corydoras catfish, shrimp, and snails. Dense growth provides shelter for shrimp including cherry shrimp and Amano shrimp. The red coloration contrasts especially well with blue schooling fish.
Substrate: Performs best in nutrient-rich planted substrates. In inert substrates (sand or gravel), supplement with root fertilizers such as Osmocote capsules to maintain nutrient availability.
Light: Medium–high intensity (30–60+ PAR) for 8–10 hours per day.
Temperature: 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
pH: 5.5 – 7.5
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard water (2–12 dGH)
CO₂: Recommended for compact growth and stronger coloration.
Care & Propagation: Regular trimming encourages side shoots and dense growth. Replant healthy tops to propagate new stems and maintain a compact layout.
Portion Size 1 carefully selected stem bundle (typically 5–7 stems), freshly trimmed and ready for aquarium planting.
Plant Size Stems are usually 5–12 cm (2–5 in) tall at the time of packaging.
Plant Type Submerged-grown aquarium stem plants, ready to plant directly into aquarium substrate.
Snail-Free & Aquarium Safe
Plants are grown without chemicals harmful to 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 precise placement in the substrate.
