Alternanthera reineckii 'Pink' Care Guide

Alternanthera reineckii 'Pink' is a compact pink-leaved cultivar of a South American Amaranthaceae stem plant, a reliable colour accent under medium light.

Overview

Alternanthera reineckii 'Pink' is a pink-leaved cultivar of Alternanthera reineckii, a stem plant of the family Amaranthaceae sometimes called water hedge. It is grown as a colour accent, with shorter internodes than the type species giving a more compact habit under medium light.

Taxonomy

• Family: Amaranthaceae
• Genus: Alternanthera
• Scientific name: Alternanthera reineckii 'Pink'
• Common name: Pink Reineckii

Habitat

Alternanthera reineckii is native to South America, where it grows in submerged and semi-aquatic habitats such as marshes, stream banks and ponds. The plant reaches roughly 30 cm in height and is widely cultivated in aquaria in several varieties.

Aquarium requirements

• Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
• pH: 6.0-7.5
• GH: 2-12 °dGH
• Lighting: medium to high
• CO2: recommended (about 10-40 mg/l)
• Maximum height: up to about 30 cm
• Placement: midground

Growth and care

This is a medium-paced grower with relatively high nutrient demand. Submerged, the plant develops short internodes and a compact, bushy form with many lateral shoots; emersed forms grow longer stems. Good lighting and CO2 supplementation help maintain dense growth and strong colour.

Propagation

Propagation is by cuttings or by splitting and detaching daughter plants; cut shoots are replanted into the substrate where they root and continue to grow.