Alternanthera Reineckii aquarium plant —
commonly known as Telanthera or Reineckii —
is one of the most vibrant and striking
coloured aquarium plants available for
freshwater planted tanks. This alternanthera
reineckii aquarium plant produces striking
leaves with vivid red and pink colouration
on the upper surface and rich burgundy-red
on the undersides — creating a spectacular
warm colour display that immediately becomes
the most eye-catching element in any
planted aquarium layout.
For aquarists looking for a reliable
coloured plant that delivers maximum
visual impact with vivid warm tones,
this alternanthera reineckii aquarium
plant is one of the most recommended
and beloved red plants in the entire
freshwater aquarium hobby worldwide.
What is Alternanthera Reineckii Aquarium Plant?
Alternanthera Reineckii is native to South
America — found naturally in Brazil and
other tropical regions where it grows along
river margins, in flooded areas, and in
shallow ponds with strong lighting. Its
natural habitat with strong tropical sun
explains its need for good lighting to
develop its maximum vivid red colouration
in aquarium conditions.
In the aquarium this alternanthera reineckii
aquarium plant grows as an upright stem
plant reaching 20 to 40 centimetres in
height. Its bold vivid colouration combined
with its relatively easy care requirements
compared to other red plants makes it
one of the most popular choices for
adding warm colour to planted tank displays.
Why Choose Alternanthera Reineckii Aquarium Plant?
🌿 Vibrant red and pink leaves create
spectacular warm colour focal point
🌿 Rich burgundy-red undersides add
depth and colour dimension to display
🌿 More accessible than many red plants —
easier to grow than Rotala or Ludwigia
🌿 Colour intensifies significantly under
medium to high lighting conditions
🌿 No CO2 required — colour develops
naturally under good lighting conditions
🌿 Creates dramatic contrast when planted
alongside bright green stem plants
🌿 Easy to propagate through stem cuttings
maintaining vivid colour in all new growth
How to Plant Alternanthera Reineckii Aquarium Plant
Push the stem ends of this alternanthera
reineckii aquarium plant 2 to 3 centimetres
into fine sand or gravel substrate keeping
lower leaves above the substrate surface.
Plant in groups of 5 to 7 stems spaced
2 to 3 centimetres apart — the vivid
colouration looks most impressive when
plants are grouped together to create
a concentrated mass of warm red and pink.
Getting the Best Red-Pink Colour
The intensity of the vivid red-pink
colouration in this alternanthera reineckii
aquarium plant depends primarily on
lighting intensity. Under medium light
the colours are good. Under high light
the vivid reds and pinks reach their
maximum intensity and the contrast
between upper and lower leaf surfaces
becomes most dramatic. Iron-rich
fertiliser significantly enhances
and maintains the red colouration.
Perfect Plant Combinations
This alternanthera reineckii aquarium
plant creates a stunning red-green contrast
alongside Rotala Green and pairs beautifully with
Hygrophila Polysperma
as a bright green background companion.
Also works wonderfully with
Java Moss on foreground rocks for natural contrast.
Browse our complete
background plant collection
for more coloured stem plant options.
Read our guide on setting up a low-tech planted tank
to learn how to incorporate coloured plants
effectively in a budget-friendly setup.
For more information visit
Fishkeeping World and
Aquatic Plant Central.
Care Details
🌱 Care Level: Medium
💡 Lighting: Medium to High
💧 CO2: Not required (enhances colour)
📍 Placement: Background to Midground
🌡️ Temperature: 22°C – 28°C
⚗️ pH: 6.0 – 7.5
💪 Growth Rate: Moderate
Every Alternanthera Reineckii aquarium
plant from FloraBiz is farm-grown in clean
healthy cultivation tanks in Kozhikode,
Kerala and shipped fresh directly to your
doorstep anywhere in India with our live
plant delivery guarantee.
