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    Lobelia cardinalis (Scarlet lobelia) Tropica
  • Lobelia cardinalis (Scarlet lobelia) Tropica
  • Lobelia cardinalis (Scarlet lobelia) Tropica
  • Lobelia cardinalis (Scarlet lobelia) Tropica
  • Lobelia cardinalis (Scarlet lobelia) Tropica
1 5

Lobelia cardinalis

Two-toned green and purple-red leaves on a compact Lobelia midground plant

£7.99
£7.99

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    Quick Facts

    Rating:

    Common name:

    Origin: North America

    Position in Aquarium: Midground

    Grows up to (cm): 20 cm

    Pot Size: 5 cm

    Growth rate: Medium pace
    Description

    Lobelia cardinalis is a distinctive aquarium plant with small, spoon-shaped leaves displaying vivid green upper surfaces and contrasting deep purple-red undersides. When planted in groups and viewed from the front, the purple undersides catch the light to create striking colour pockets in the midground of planted layouts.

    It grows best with medium light and CO2 supplementation, which encourage compact, bushy growth and the most vivid underside colouration. Without CO2 it can still be grown in a well-lit aquarium but tends to become more elongated and less compact. A nutritious substrate and regular liquid fertilisation keep the leaves vibrant.

    Supplied as an established potted plant, Lobelia cardinalis suits aquariums from 50 litres upward in the midground. Its distinctive two-toned leaves and compact habit make it a popular choice for nature aquarium and Dutch aquarium style compositions where colour contrast between plant groups is a key design consideration.
    Plant Sizes

    You’ll receive a healthy, rooted plant in a pot, similar to those shown. Each one is hand-checked before dispatch.
    Shipping

    Same-day dispatch on orders placed before 4pm, Monday to Friday. Tracked 24 Service from £4.99, DPD Express from £6.99.
    Lobelia cardinalis (Scarlet lobelia) Tropica
    Lobelia cardinalis (Scarlet lobelia) Tropica
    Lobelia cardinalis (Scarlet lobelia) Tropica
    Lobelia cardinalis (Scarlet lobelia) Tropica

    Customers praise this aquarium plant as "very healthy" with vibrant red coloring on leaf undersides. Reviews highlight excellent packaging, quick delivery, and hardy growth. Plants arrive with "good root structure" and multiple stems per pot. Some note fish may eat the foliage. Easy to propagate and thrives even without CO2 when properly fertilized.

    • A lovely plant. Very healthy. Quick delivery. A very helpful seller.
    • Plants from this company are by far the best that I have bought.
    • Very nice surprise when I saw the underside of the leaf. Fantastic colour.
    • 5 stars: 31 (94%)
    • 4 stars: 2 (6%)
    • 3 stars: 0 (0%)
    • 2 stars: 0 (0%)
    • 1 star: 0 (0%)
    M
    Mr

    Great

    G
    Greg W. (Exeter, GB)
    Such Good Plants - I Shall Be Back For More!

    A lovely plant. Very healthy. Quick delivery. A very helpful seller. Recommended.

    A
    Aisha W. (Durham, GB)
    Lovely

    Hardy and easy to look after according to website.
    Only been in our brand new tank for a week but looks great.
    Wish I had more money as I'd buy so many more plants from these guys! Amazing communication. Fantastic delivery. Plants arrived very healthy. Hopefully I can keep them that way!!! 🙏 🤞

    D
    David M.
    Review

    Plant arrived looking healthy and were well packaged. Been in the tank a few weeks now and are looking good and growing well.

    A
    Alan I.
    Review

    lots of plants in one

    M
    Mark N.
    Review

    Plant arrived in lovely healthy condition, looked a good addition to my tank, the fish love it so much they’ve nearly eaten the whole plant, that’s nature.

    M
    Morgan W.
    Review

    All plants I ordered came really well packaged and are full of colour, this one looks amazing in my tank behind my rocks

    M
    Mark L.
    Review

    This plant turned up very well packaged and in a very healthy condition, I have had aquariums for over 40 years and I can say plants from this company are by fare the best that I have bought.

    K
    Kelly M.
    Review

    Great plant looks good in tanks with the red under side of the leaves, unfortunately my fish love the taste of these so it doesn't last long in my tank

    m
    mervyn w.
    Review

    Third purchase of plants from supplier and the first is still spot on , have trimmed and taken cuttings and all have thrived. Deliveries came before due date and were well packed.
    Would recommend.

    J
    John B.
    Review

    Plant arrived quickly and in top condition

    B
    Brian C.
    Review

    Plants delivered very quickly and were just as described. Very nice indeed. Probably too nice as my fish decided they were succulent and ate the lot ?? but that’s my issue and nothing to do with the plants. I think the fish are now getting too big to keep plants sadly.
    Would certainly recommend them to anyone

    S
    Stephen P.
    Review

    Plants arrived well packed and much larger than I expected and in very good condition with no issues. In the tank for four days now and look very healthy and happy. There were at least 3-4 stems from each pot, more than enough for my tank.

    B
    Ben T.
    Review

    Pretty little plant, Thriving in my tank

    a
    allan d.
    Review

    Fab plant looks great and as always such a healthy plant

    M
    Mike S.
    Review

    As a novice aquarist i was sceptical about buying live plants online. However, i needn\'t have worried, my plants arrived well packaged, they were all healthy looking with good root structure & 3 weeks on they are thriving. I would definitely recommend aquaessentials to anyone looking for freshwater plants ????

    J
    Jason W.
    Review

    Its a nice bushy plant medium height and looks beautiful in my tank. It\'s been in about a week and seems like its new home as it appears to still look fresh and new. I would recommend this plant hence i\'ll give the full 5 stars

    S
    Stephen A.
    Review

    Great compact plant. Very healthy and looks great in the middle of my tank

    A
    Andrew C.
    Review

    Very nice surprise when I saw the underside of the leaf. Fantastic colour, I had no idea. Very healthy looking plant

    M
    Mike K.
    Review

    Healthy good looking plant delivered fast.

    E
    Emma M.
    Review

    Great little plant, ordered 2 a couple of days before going on a 2 week holiday - came back and all the plants from this site are all still going strong. Great reliable service.

    G
    Gareth W.
    Review

    The plant is actually more attractive than in the photograph with whitish-red leaves. Plants from Aqua Essentials were all very healthy and well packed, I won't be using a high street aquarist shop again !

    I
    Ian R.
    Review

    Only had for one week, but is a nice addition to the tank, looks vibrant already.

    V
    Vic A.
    Review

    Very pleased with the quality of these plants, settling in nicely now.

    D
    David B.
    Review

    Lovely plant, thriving in my tank. Had them in for 2 months now and they are in such good health. Easy to replant too if a stem is broken off, which can happen with my Clown Loaches and SAE.

    L
    Leah C.
    Review

    I have had this plant for a few weeks and it seems to be doing brilliantly. I don't have co2, which apparently this plant is supposed to need, however, I do dose with flourish comprehensive, excel and use root tabs and I haven't seen a problem yet. It has put out new roots and leaves already. I am very happy with my purchase.

    j
    john h.
    Review

    good quality healthy plant - as they always are from here. A good size for front to middle.

    A
    Arch R.
    Review

    This plant arrived in excellent condition. Good root ball nice sized plant. Beautiful red veining on the leaves. Growing well and looks good.

    Delivered next day in a well packaged box containing several other plants I ordered. Each one was separately placed in a cellophane bag.

    Recommended.

    N
    Nick T.
    Review

    looks good, arrived in vibrant condition

    R
    Roy P.
    Review

    the plants arrived the day after ordering. they where well protected in their packaging.they were in 1st class condition.i wiil buy plants from aqua essentials in the future. roy.

    B
    Barry L.
    Review

    really nice plants nice colour good shape for foreground and super specimans

    G
    George B.
    Review

    Another great little plant easy to propagate cuttings roots very quickly

    G
    George B.
    Review

    Arrived in great condition, well packaged and I have not had any problems with these plants,
    they grow better than the ones in my garden.
    MANY THANKS TO THE TEAM.

    Product FAQs

    Helpful details before you buy.

    Does Lobelia cardinalis need CO2?

    CO2 is recommended for the most compact, bushy growth and vivid purple underside colouration. Without it the plant can be grown but tends to grow more loosely and with less pronounced colour.

    What light level does it need?

    Medium light is the minimum. Better light combined with CO2 produces the most compact, colourful growth. In low light it becomes elongated and less attractive.

    Can I see the purple underside when the plant is growing?

    Yes. When planted in groups, the purple undersides of the leaves are clearly visible from the front of the aquarium, creating a distinctive colour effect.

    How large does it grow?

    It typically reaches 10–20 cm in height, making it well suited to the midground of most planted aquariums.

    Is it easy to propagate?

    Yes. Side shoots develop naturally and can be separated and replanted. Stem cuttings can also be taken and rooted in the substrate.