Alternanthera reineckii

About This Species

Basic Description

Scarlet Temple is a popular aquarium plant known for its vibrant red and magenta leaves, creating a beautiful focal point. It's best placed in the middle of the tank to show off its color. While it requires a bit more care than some beginner plants, the visual reward is significant. It also helps keep the water clean by absorbing nutrients.

Detailed Description

To bring out the intense reddish-purple hues of Alternanthera reineckii, strong illumination and supplemental CO2 are highly recommended. It’s a stem plant propagated by trimming top portions and replanting them into a nutrient-rich substrate. Regular fertilization, especially with iron, is key to ensuring vibrant, healthy growth in a stable freshwater environment that avoids extremes in hardness or pH. This plant prefers gentle water movement, which prevents damage to its leaves.

Scientific Description

Alternanthera reineckii, a species in the Amaranthaceae family, is native to South American floodplains. As a tracheophyte, it has a vascular system for nutrient transport. In a closed aquatic system, it is a moderate oxygen producer and contributes to bioremediation by absorbing excess nitrates and phosphates from the water column and substrate, thereby reducing the bioload. Its adaptability to various substrate types like sand or gravel makes it versatile for different aquascapes.