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Tropica Lobelia cardinalis Mini 1-2-GROW!

Two-toned Lobelia cardinalis Mini with purple undersides in Tropica tissue culture

Tropica

Regular price
£7.99
Regular price
Sale price
£7.99
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Quick Facts

Rating:

Common name:

Position in Aquarium: Midground

Growth rate: Medium pace

Grows up to: 15 cm

Pot size: 7 cm

Origin: North America

Description

Lobelia cardinalis Mini is the compact aquarium form of the cardinal flower, producing neat, rounded to oval leaves in fresh green with attractive reddish-purple undersides. Its distinctive two-toned colouration — green above and rich purple beneath — creates a striking and unusual accent in the foreground of planted aquariums, and the compact Mini form keeps it at a much more manageable size than the full-size species.

It benefits from bright light and CO2 supplementation for the most compact, well-structured growth and the most vivid reddish-purple colouration on the leaf undersides. Without CO2 the plant grows more loosely and the underside colouration is less vivid. Planted in groups it creates an effective and unusual foreground accent in detailed aquascape layouts.

Supplied as a Tropica 1-2-GROW! tissue culture cup, this plant arrives completely free from snails, pest algae, and pesticide residue. Rinse the gel, separate and plant individual rosettes into the foreground substrate. Suits aquariums from 40 litres upward — a distinctive, two-toned foreground plant with real visual impact that is fully shrimp safe.

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.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Tissue cultured plants are supplied young and grown in a sterile environment, so they arrive free from snails, algae and pesticide residue. They may look smaller on arrival, but each cup contains multiple plantlets designed to be divided and planted out, where they establish quickly with minimal melt and grow into place.

Tropica Lobelia cardinalis Mini 1-2-GROW!
Tropica Lobelia cardinalis Mini 1-2-GROW!
Tropica Lobelia cardinalis Mini 1-2-GROW!
Tropica Lobelia cardinalis Mini 1-2-GROW!
Tropica Lobelia cardinalis Mini 1-2-GROW! - Aqua Essentials
Tropica Lobelia cardinalis Mini 1-2-GROW! - Aqua Essentials

Product Details

1. Grown in a laboratory

Tissue Cultured Plants are unique in so much as they are grown in a laboratory and not a greenhouse. As a result of this, a cast iron guarantee is offered which is 100% so snails and no pesticides.

2. How to handle them

They're a bit different from potted plants because they're grown in an agae solution that contains nutrients and hormones to encrougage plants to grow. Some agar is liquid, others are more solid depending on what the growers prefers. Regardless once they arrive with you, acclimatise to room temperature and then rinse under luke warm tap water. Then plant up.

3. Pot sizes

Nearly all TC pots are 5cm in diameter and the pots will range in fullness depending on many factors such as the natural growth speed of the plant and the time the grower has held them for. Sometimes the pots are exceptionally full and sometimes not so full - something we cannot control. But either way, they're still really good value when you look at the overall plant mass.

Product FAQs

Helpful details before you buy.

What colour are the leaf undersides on Lobelia cardinalis Mini?

A distinctive reddish-purple colour that contrasts strongly with the green upper leaf surfaces. The intensity of the purple is greatest under bright light and CO2.

Does it need CO2?

CO2 is recommended for compact growth and the most vivid purple colouration on the undersides. Without CO2 the plant grows more loosely and the colour is less pronounced.

How compact does it stay?

The Mini form is significantly more compact than standard Lobelia cardinalis, making it practical for foreground positions in aquariums from 40 litres upward.

Is it safe for shrimp tanks?

Yes. As a Tropica 1-2-GROW! tissue culture plant it arrives free from snails, algae, and pesticide residue.

How is it planted?

Plant individual rosettes into the substrate in the foreground. Planting in groups creates the most effective and visually striking use of this distinctive two-toned plant.