Salvinia natans is an easy floating plant that gently shades your aquarium, helping reduce the intensity of bright LED lighting. Ideal for tanks where the light feels a little too strong.
Give your plants everything they need to grow well without pressurised CO2. Neutro Combo is a top seller for low-tech tanks, helping plants stay healthy, grow steadily and compete naturally with algae.
Bold red-purple aquarium colour
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Rating: Easy
Common name: Alternanthera reineckii 'Cardinalis'
Origin: South America
Position in Aquarium: Mid/background
Grows up to (cm):
Pot Size:
Growth rate: Fast
Alternanthera cardinalis is a striking red-purple aquarium stem plant that adds strong contrast to planted tanks. It is a popular choice when you want to break up green layouts and introduce more depth, colour and visual impact.
Best used in the midground or background, this plant can reach up to 50 cm in height and works especially well when planted in groups. As the stems grow in together, they create a fuller, more dramatic display that stands out in both natural and more styled aquascapes.
To keep its colour at its best, Alternanthera cardinalis appreciates good lighting, regular micronutrient dosing and a stable planted-tank setup. CO2 is highly recommended for the strongest growth and richer red-purple tones, but even in simpler setups it can still make a noticeable impact with the right care.
You’ll receive a healthy rooted plant in a 5 cm pot, similar to those shown. Each plant is checked before dispatch.
You’ll receive a healthy, rooted plant in a pot, similar to those shown. Each one is hand-checked before dispatch.
Same-day dispatch on orders placed before 4pm, Monday to Friday. Tracked 24 Service from £4.99, DPD Express from £6.99.
It is moderately demanding. It requires high lighting and CO2 supplementation to develop its intense red-purple colouration and grow at its best.
CO2 is highly recommended. Without it growth slows significantly and the plant may lose its vibrant red-purple colour, becoming pale and less attractive.
With CO2 supplementation it can reach up to 50cm, making it well suited to midground and background placement in medium to large aquariums.
Provide high lighting, CO2, and regular micronutrient dosing. Without micronutrients the leaves will become pale. Plant in groups of two or more stems for maximum impact.
Place it in the midground or background. Planting in groups creates bold colour contrast and dramatic vertical interest that draws the eye through the aquascape.
