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Lobelia cardinalis

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

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

Over 3,000 sold
Regular price
£7.99
Regular price
Sale price
£7.99
  • Hurry, only 2 items left in stock!
Quick Facts

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 praised this aquarium plant as "very healthy" with vibrant color and attractive red undersides. Reviews highlight excellent packaging, quick delivery, and strong growth. The plant thrives in various conditions and is easy to propagate. A minor note: some customers reported fish eating the leaves, though this reflects fish behavior rather than plant quality.

  • Plants from this company are by far the best that I have bought
  • Have trimmed and taken cuttings and all have thrived
  • Plants arrived very healthy. Amazing communication. Fantastic delivery
  • 5 stars: 120 (90%)
  • 4 stars: 11 (8%)
  • 3 stars: 1 (1%)
  • 2 stars: 2 (1%)
  • 1 star: 0 (0%)
Some of the reviews shown are from related products the merchant grouped with this one.
s
sharon G. (Aylesford, GB)
Good plants

Nice plants for my 25 litre tank, have bought these a few times, always grow fast & nice & a lovely colour.

M
Miss

A lot of leggy plants i had to snip off the root and replant but the bits thay were good were nice and lush and green im sure they will grow out lovely.

R
Robert

Nice healthy plants, now thriving know the aquarium

A
Alan M. (Leeds, GB)
Fit:
Very bad
Very good
This one, also from the starter pack is growing

This one, also from the starter pack is growing really well and filling out quite well. To the degree that someone else has asked about it, so it obviously caught their eye.

A
Alan M. (Leeds, GB)
Fit:
Very bad
Very good
Plant is coming along nicely, not quite the

Plant is coming along nicely, not quite the colour as in the photo but very pleasing nevertheless. It’s strong and healthy as are the other plants in the beginner’s pack. Highly recommended if like me, you’re not too sure about which plants to get.

P
Philip j.S. (Slough, GB)
Excellent plant doing well

Excellent plant doing well.

s
sharon G. (Gillingham, GB)
Great plant in my tank always, great packaging

Great plant in my tank always, great packaging and quick delivery too always.

E
Edward J.L. (Motherwell, GB)
Fit:
Very bad
Very good
Tolerates Scottish soft water.

One of the few plants that can survive Scottish soft water. Would recommend for Scottish aquarists who are fed up buying plants that melt within a short period of time.

a
alan s. (Kings Lynn, GB)
plant was up to you usual standard very good

plant was up to you usual standard very good .

W
W H. (Chesterfield, GB)
Great service and excellent plant as ordered,

Great service and excellent plants as ordered, will happily use again.

J
John C. (Bolton, GB)
Need to get some more

It's look very good in the fish tank need to get some more

l
liam

All plants healthy, already grown an inch or so.

S
Susan

Lovely healthy plant

L
LyndsW (Sittingbourne, GB)
Plant received was tiny and didn't survive.

Plant received was absolutely tiny and sadly didn't grow at all. I wasn't expecting a huge plant but it was really small for the price paid.

M
Mr

Great

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.

G
Greg W. (Exeter, GB)
10 Out of 10 For This Plant!

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

A
Alastair J. (Northwich, GB)
Hygrophila

Usual prompt delivery and good quality plants, thriving in my aquarium after planting.

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!!! 🙏 🤞

P
Patrick H. (Sutton Coldfield, GB)
PERFECT CONDITION

Arrived in absolute perfect condition and is already growing well a few days after putting it in my tank!

J
Judith P. (Bristol, GB)
Small....

Gone downhill since I used last time very small poor quality plants disappointed for the money I paid.

S
Samuel

Little hard to plant as roots are short, but the plant is healthy and doing well in aquarium

i
irene m. (Gateshead, GB)
Excellent

These plants arrived in Excellent condition , Growing well in my tank

I
Irene M. (Glasgow, GB)
I was surprised and impressed by the size and the healthy condition of this plant.+ quick delivery.

AS ABOVE

S
Simon W. (London, GB)

Perfect condition beautiful plant growing fast

C
Ciaran

Looks lovely

L
Lavinia M.(. (Birmingham, GB)
Cryptocoryne willisii

5 potted plants received with excellent care instructions from seller. Postal delay caused 3 plants to arrive in poor condition. But followed instructions and they are all now showing lots of new leaves.
Thank you

J
Jack G. (Pulborough, GB)

Ordered via. telephone and forgot to order tissue culture type , received six stems in a pot , good condition and growing ok but with p&p cost was £10.45 .

S
Simon W.
Review

What can I say all the plants came in excellent condition growing well in the tank

D
Diana I.
Review

God this plants can grow ! Definetly fast growing and fills out nicely! Have trimmed it few times and cuttings easily get replanted and settled, definetly a great background plant to use, in any tank

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.

Best Seller
Skip to product information
1 of 5

Lobelia cardinalis

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

Ask a question Over 3,000 sold
Average care Medium light CO2 recommended Midground plant
Regular price
£7.99
Regular price
Sale price
£7.99
  • In stock — 2 available

In-stock orders normally dispatch before 4pm, Monday–Friday. Delivery details

Lobelia cardinalis (Scarlet lobelia) Tropica
Lobelia cardinalis (Scarlet lobelia) Tropica
Lobelia cardinalis (Scarlet lobelia) Tropica
Lobelia cardinalis (Scarlet lobelia) Tropica

Complete your setup

Useful additions for your aquarium

Care essentials chosen for this plant

Healthier plants
Brighter results
Neutro T Aquarium Plant Fertiliser Recommended size
£10.99
Root nutrition Neutro TerraTabs - Root Tabs for Planted Aquariums

Long-lasting nutrition
for strong, healthy roots.

Recommended size
£8.99
Superfish Aquarium Plant Tweezers Recommended size
£5.99
Useful additions for planting day Carefully packed with your plants Specialist aquarium plant care
Bundle offers

About this plant

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.

Product FAQs

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.