Alternanthera Cardinalis

Alternanthera cardinalis is a vibrant stem plant prized for its intense red foliage, which creates a striking contrast against green plants in freshwater aquariums. Native to South America, it grows upright with narrow leaves and forms dense clusters, making it ideal for midground or background placement in planted tanks. Its vivid coloration makes it a favorite among aquascapers looking to add dramatic visual impact.

This plant is moderate to high in care, performing best under strong lighting and nutrient-rich conditions, including CO₂ supplementation to maintain deep red coloration.

Care Requirements

• Lighting: High (essential for red color)

• Temperature: 22–28 °C

• pH: 6.0–7.5

• Growth Rate: Moderate to Fast

• Placement: Midground to Background

Growth & Maintenance

Alternanthera cardinalis grows quickly when provided with sufficient light and nutrients. Regular trimming encourages bushier growth and prevents stems from becoming leggy. Propagation is simple: cut stems can be replanted to form new clusters. In lower light, leaves may turn greenish, losing their signature red hue.

Aquascaping Use

This plant is excellent for:

• Adding bold red color to midground or background areas

• Creating dense, upright stem clusters

• Providing visual contrast against green foliage

• Enhancing the overall depth and texture of aquascapes

A vibrant red stem plant that forms dense upright clusters, ideal for midground or background placement and adding dramatic color to freshwater planted aquariums.