Alternanthera reineckii is a beautiful aquatic plant that requires specific lighting conditions to thrive in an aquarium. While it is a forgiving plant, it will not reach its full potential under the standard stock aquarium hood that comes with most kits. To achieve the best results, it is recommended to use a dual to quad T5 high-output fluorescent system or a high-quality, color-tuned, specialty LED unit.

With the right lighting, Alternanthera reineckii will display stunning deep red to purple growth, adding a vibrant touch to your aquarium. Unlike many other fully red plants, this particular variety does not necessarily require CO2 injection. However, like most plants, providing additional CO2 will promote faster growth.

Without CO2 supplementation, Alternanthera reineckii will still thrive, but it will grow at a slower pace. It will form dense patches that will not overgrow their welcome in the aquarium, making it a great choice for aquarists who prefer low-maintenance plants.

Propagation of Alternanthera reineckii is relatively simple. Like all stem plants, you can create new plantlets by manually cutting pieces of the stem that contain nodes and replanting them. This method allows for easy expansion of your plant population, ensuring a lush and visually appealing aquarium.

PLANT INFORMATION 

Difficulty: Easy - Moderate
Type:  stem
Size: 10 - 20cm
Position and Usage: Foreground to midground 
Growth rate: Slow to moderate depending on lighting and CO2
Lighting: 3/5 - 5/5
Water Temp: 23 - 28°C
CO2: Recommended,  not required