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Alternanthera reineckii, Alternanthera reineckii

Plant · Stem

Alternanthera reineckii

Alternanthera reineckii · South America · also Water hedge, Alternanthera 'Pink', Alternanthera rosaefolia

Photo: Rchampagne, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

It grows in lower light without CO2 but drops its lower leaves and loses its red colour. Give it bright light and plenty of nutrients, with root tabs if your water is low in fertilizer.

At a glance

Light

Bright light

CO₂

CO₂ helps

Growth

Steady growth

Where it goes

Middle

Temperature

18–26°C

pH

6–7

Height in a tank

25–50 cm 10–20 in

Difficulty

Some care

What it does for your tank

Pink to red leaves make a colour contrast among green plants.

Fish that eat or uproot it

Goldfish, silver dollars and some plecos chew its soft leaves.

Growing more

Pinch off the top and plant it; the old stem branches out.

Grows well with

Same light and temperature, but a different spot in the tank, so they fill it out together.

Cabomba

Cabomba

Plant · StemSome care

  • Bright light!
  • CO₂ helps
  • Fast growth
  • Back
  • 20–25°C

Fine, fan-shaped leaves make a soft hiding place for fry and small fish.

Southeastern South America and the eastern and western United States

Cabomba

Cabomba caroliniana

Southeastern South America and the eastern and western United States

Temperature
20–25°C
pH
6–7
Height
12–24 in · 30–60 cm
Light
High
CO₂
Helps
Growth
Fast
Goes
Back
Difficulty
Some care

More plants. Cut off stem tops and replant them; cut stems are slow to branch.

Goldfish, silver dollars and many cichlids shred the delicate leaves.

Full care guide

Photo: Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org, CC BY 3.0

Dwarf baby tears

No photo yet

Plant · CarpetHard

  • Bright light!
  • Needs CO₂!
  • Steady growth
  • Front
  • 22–26°C

Makes the classic bright green lawn in small aquascapes.

Cuba

Dwarf baby tears

Micranthemum callitrichoides 'Cuba'

Cuba

Temperature
22–26°C
pH
6–7
Height
0.4–2 in · 1–5 cm
Light
High
CO₂
Needed
Growth
Medium
Goes
Front
Difficulty
Hard

More plants. Plant small clumps; runners spread into a carpet.

Not eaten much, but digging fish, plecos and crayfish pull it up easily.

Full care guide

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