Tissue culture - Alternanthera reineckii

Alternanthera reineckii is a South American stem plant with olive-green to red upper leaves and violet-pink undersides. It makes a strong colour accent in a freshwater tank, as a midground bush or a taller background stem.

Key features

• Red, pink, and purple tones that stand out against green plants
• Trims well — keep it short in the midground, or let it grow tall at the back
• Leafy stems give shrimp, fry, and small fish cover to hide and forage

Water and system compatibility

Freshwater aquariums only. Not for marine or reef systems.

Specifications

• Type: stem
• Origin: South America
• Growth rate: medium
• Height: 15–40 cm+
• Light: medium to high (stronger light brings out deeper reds)
• CO₂: recommended. It can grow without it, but CO₂ gives faster, fuller growth
• Placement: midground or background

Directions

How to plant

1. Remove packaging, lead weights, or foam from the base. If it is potted, rinse the rockwool off the roots under lukewarm tap water.
2. Separate the bunch into individual stems.
3. Push each stem deep into a nutrient-rich substrate with tweezers. Space stems about 3 cm apart so light reaches the lower leaves.

Ongoing care

• Lighting: a strong, full-spectrum light for 7–8 hours a day keeps the red. Low light turns it green or drops the lower leaves.
• Nutrients: a heavy root feeder. Use nutrient-rich master soil or root tabs. Liquid fertilisers such as LCA Advanced Red helps the red colour remain bright.
• Trimming: snip the tops when stems get too tall. Replant the cuttings, and the bases will branch.

Water parameters

• Temperature: 22°C–28°C
• pH: 6.0–7.5
• Hardness: soft to medium (3–12 dGH)