Alternanthera cardinalis - Vibrant Red Stem Plant

Model:P2020035

Regular price: £7.99
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Sale price: £7.99

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Quick Facts

Rating: Easy

Origin: South America

Common name: Alternanthera reineckii 'Cardinalis'

Position in Aquarium: Mid/background

Growth Rate: Fast

Grows up to (cm): 50 cm

Pot Size: 5 cm

Plant Sizes

The image of the plant you'll be receiving is just an example of what you can expect. Each plant is unique and may vary in size and shape, so it won't be an exact match to the photo. If we provide a size guide, keep in mind that it's just an estimate and that plants can vary in size depending on the time of year.

our delivery promise to you

Express Delivery is our fastest and most reliable option. Orders are fully trackable, delivered within a one-hour time slot, and covered by our replacement guarantee if plants are damaged due to delivery delays. It’s ideal if you want extra peace of mind and plants arriving exactly as they left us.

Tracked 24 is a great value option and usually arrives within a couple of days.

Order before 4pm (Mon–Fri) for same-day dispatch.

Shipping starts from £4.99 for Tracked 24 and £6.99 for DPD Express.

Stunning Red-Purple Stem Plant

Alternanthera cardinalis is a striking South American stem plant that brings instant vibrancy to planted aquariums. With its sturdy red-purple stems and long, pointy leaves, this bushy plant creates dramatic vertical interest and bold colour contrast in any aquascape.

Ideal for Midground & Background Planting

This vigorous grower reaches up to 50 cm in height with CO2 supplementation, making it perfect for midground and background placement. Plant in groups of two or more stems to create lush, colourful focal points that draw the eye through your aquascape.

Key Features

Vibrant red-purple stems with long, attractive leaves
Bushy growth habit for dramatic impact
Reaches up to 50 cm with CO2
Perfect for midground and background placement
Best grown in groups for maximum visual effect

Care Requirements

Alternanthera cardinalis requires high lighting to develop its intense red-purple colouration. CO2 supplementation is highly recommended for optimal growth and colour intensity. Regular dosing of micronutrients is essential—without them, leaves will become pale and lose their vibrancy. This is a slightly demanding plant that rewards proper care with spectacular results.

Here's a few tips about this plant that are worth mentioning.

1. Lots of colour

Red plants are popular in the hobby because they break up the sea of green that we see so much of. Use red plants in groups to create focal points and consider positioning them around wood or rock for a stylish look.

2. Red plants need more light

Red plants get their colour from light intensity. The reason they arrive with lovely colours is because they're grown in greenhouses that have access to lots of natural light. This means they grow fast, and colourful. If you don't have lots of light (and these plants really like pink light), colour can be less along with speed of growth.

3. Don't forget to trim

Most red plants are stems and this means they generally grow quite fast. It's important to trim stem plants regularly and don't be concerned when trimming 50% each time. This allows the plant to retain their colours and stay bushy. If you let them grow too big, they'll drop their lower leaves and concentrate on their top section (resembling a forest canopy) which you don't want.

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Growing lovely.

Nope

It just died very very quickly.
Had a fluval aquasky light on full nit 6 inches from the tip, tropica root tabs, tropica liquid ferts including Seachem Iron but it was either emerged grown and was converting hard or really does need C02. It never came back and description said C02 was not required. Just wont grow for me.

As described.

As described, packaged well and now growing nicely in my aquarium.

Review

Had this plant before from a different supplier when I didn’t know much about plant care and found them hard to keep, hoping to have more luck this time, had in tank just over a week and seems to be settling well with correct conditions but time will tell

Review

This is a beautiful plant spreading really well and really quickly. My fish love it. The whole tank is brought to life by its vibrant colours. Highly recommend.

Review

Arrived very healthy and seems to be doing well in my tank so far

Review

I brought two of these plants and put them in separate aquariums. One was eaten by shrimp, but the other has thrived. The living one is in a low light aquarium and it’s growing surprisingly well, even after two months.

Review

Beautiful plant looks great in my aquarium it’s adds a nice splash of colour to the other plants,it’s taken well and growing nicely.
Defo buy again

Review

HEALTHY PLANTS ADDED TO MY TANK. VERY PLEASED

Review

Nice healthy plant, adds colour to the tank

We're environmentally friendly

1. Sustainable Packaging
2. Fast Delivery
3. Guarantee

Your plants will be wrapped with recyclable Honey Comb wrap - sounds cool because it is :). It interlocks which means we don't need to use tape either, reducing our impact on the environment.

Not only is delivery fast with DPD Express but it's also green as they offset all the carbon their vehicles produce. Guilt free delivery which we're very proud of...

We guarantee you'll be happy with your order. But if you're not, please contact us so we can resolve. We are 100% here to help and will always do our best to resolve any issues - that's a promise.

Quality Plants with fast postage

These guys are the best , well packaged healthy plants, really impressed with the quality yes they are a little more money than buying off say ebay , but you get what you pay for , keep up the good work , ill be back 👍

So happy with my plants I received chose the 12 mystery box as not disappointed great company and plants will totally recommend

Did not expect the Lagenandra to look so good I love it. Great order again, fast arrival, & no issues 👌🏼

Nice plants fish very happy ,tank never looked so good

First time ordering plants online and I now have a permanent source. Not only cheaper but so much better than previous purchases I’ve made in store.

Can’t make a single complaint, next day delivery, great packaging no damage anything. And the moss balls are so tiny I love it. Can’t wait to add them to the tank.

They include little care sheets to figure out how to properly care for your plants if needed. Will be coming back when I’m ready to move forward with the next plants. Great company ☺️

Since moving from silk plants to live plants have used aqua essentials to set up 4 of my tanks, always comes packaged well, plants in excellent condition and my last order one of the plants I ordered had melt so instead they sent as a 1.2 grow cup with a note to explain very pleased and will always use for any aquarium needs

Bought 3 plants and some spiderwood from aqua essentials. Happy with the plants , all came in good condition and look stunning ,although I am disappointed in the spiderwood given that it only has one root on it and doesn't offer much coverage

Superfish pump

Quick delivery and product is great cant wait to see how fast water change will be now. Definitely deserve full stars

Absolutely terrible plants, paid for 2 plants and they were dead!!!

Alternanthera cardinalis - Vibrant Red Stem Plant

Stunning Red-Purple Stem Plant

Ideal for Midground & Background Planting

Key Features

Care Requirements

Here's a few tips about this plant that are worth mentioning.

Guarantees

Customer Reviews

We're environmentally friendly

Let customers speak for us