About the species

Alternanthera reineckii 'Pink' has green upper leaf surfaces and pink-red undersides, which gives an effective contrast against all the green in an aquarium. The stems reach 25–50 centimetres and the colour intensifies the more light the plant gets. It is easy to propagate by nipping off the terminal shoot and setting it in the substrate.

Facts

• Latin name: Alternanthera reineckii 'Pink'
• Plant type: Stem plant
• Origin: South America
• Height: 20–30 cm
• Growth rate: Medium
• Position: Background

Light requirement

Medium light requirement. Reckon on around 0.5 W per litre or a modern mid-range LED unit. Too little light gives sparse, stretched shoots and pale leaves, while the right amount keeps the plant compact and richly coloured.

CO₂ & nutrition

Added CO₂ is recommended — Tropica reckons 6–14 mg/l as a medium requirement. The plant can be grown without, but then grows more slowly and loses some of its colour. Supplement with liquid fertiliser weekly and keep iron and potassium levels up.

Planting

Split the bunch and set the stems one by one, about two centimetres into the substrate and two to three centimetres apart. Removing the lowest leaves first stops them rotting in the substrate. A group of five to ten stems looks far better straight away than single plants.

Remove the pot and rinse the roots. If you want several plants, divide the root ball with a sharp knife before planting.

Care & propagation

Top the plant when it reaches the height you want and replant the cuttings — that propagates it and gives a denser group at the same time. Trim regularly so light reaches the lower leaves, and discard the old lower sections once they start thinning out.

Position in the aquarium

Given its mature height it belongs at the back or along the sides, where it forms a dense wall of greenery and hides equipment. In a smaller aquarium it can also be used as a solitaire in one corner.

Difficulty level

🟡 Moderate — wants stable lighting and regular fertilisation to look its best.

Delivery format

Delivered as an XL mother plant — a large, fully established plant in an extra-large pot. It makes an impact in the aquarium immediately and can also be divided into several smaller plants.

Recommendation

Planted in a group of five to ten stems it becomes an obvious splash of colour in the background. Topping makes the mother plant bushier, so the group thickens with every trim.