Alternanthera reineckii ‘Mini’ Tropica 1-2-Grow!

Aquarium plant from tissue culture in closed cup.
This miniature version of the well-known Alternanthera is characterized by compact growth and a slower growth rate. It is particularly suitable for small aquariums or as a foreground plant in larger aquascapes. By careful trimming, it is possible to create a dense, red violet carpet of approximately 5 to 10 cm height. High light intensity and addition of CO2 improves the plants growth and overall appearance.

Type:
Stem

Origin:
Cultivar

Country or continent where a plant is the most common. Cultivars arise or are bred in cultivation.

Growth rate:
Medium

Growth rate of the plant compared to other aquatic plants.

Height:
5 – 10+

Average height (cm) of the plant after two months in the tank.

Light demand:
Medium

The average or medium light demand of an aquarium plant is 0,5 W/L.

CO2 :
Medium

A medium need in CO2 is 6-14 mg/L. A high demand in CO2 is approx. 15-25 mg/L.

Growing Alternanthera reineckii ‘Mini’ in Singapore Aquascapes

This compact red Alternanthera is one of our favourite plants for adding low colour to nano and mid-sized layouts. Supplied as clean tissue culture, it arrives pest and algae free, which is a real advantage in our warm climate where snails and hitchhikers spread fast. Rinse off the gel, separate into small portions, and plant in a bright spot to bring out the deep red-violet tones the variety is known for.

To keep that dense, low carpet of colour, give it strong lighting and added CO2, plus regular trimming to encourage branching. In our 27-29C tanks growth stays steady, though good iron and macronutrient dosing matters more than heat for red intensity. We see the best results when keepers do not let it stretch; frequent topping keeps it short and bushy in foreground and midground positions.

Find more options in our live plants range. For specifics, see our A. reineckii ‘Mini’ care guide, our red plants troubleshooting guide, and red-plant aquascape ideas.