Alternanthera reineckii Mini

Alternanthera Reineckii Mini: Small yet Mighty

Aquarium hobbyists appreciate the small Alternanthera reineckii 'Mini' plant because of its stunning red, pink, and purple colors. This compact low-growing plant produces vibrant carpet-like formations making it an ideal choice for freshwater aquarium aquascaping. The plant forms dense, vivid mats that stand out against green plants providing depth to aquarium designs. Aquarists choose Alternanthera reineckii 'Mini' because it thrives under correct lighting conditions and CO₂ supplementation while providing texture and color to aquariums.

Uses for Foreground Plant: This plant excels at creating bold foregrounds and carpet-like surfaces in aquascapes, especially within small aquariums and nano tanks.

Color Accent: The red splash creates a striking contrast with green plants which adds depth and variety to planted aquariums.

Cover for Fish and Shrimp: This plant maintains a healthy ecosystem by providing shelter for small fish, shrimp, and fry.

Aquascaping with structured layouts enables Dutch-style and natural aquariums to achieve organized layers along with striking focal points.
Filtration and Oxygenation: The plant improves aquarium water conditions by removing excess nutrients and introducing oxygen similar to how other aquatic plants function.

Conditions and Maintenance for Alternanthera Reineckii 'Mini' 

Lighting: Alternanthera reineckii 'Mini' thrives under lighting conditions that range from moderate to high intensity. Strong lighting encourages dense leaf growth and bright red and pink leaf colors in this plant. The plant will develop long thin stems and fade in color if it is grown in low light conditions.

CO₂ Requirements: Supplementing this plant with CO₂ results in faster growth and more vibrant leaf colors. CO₂ supplementation helps Alternanthera Reineckii 'Mini' retain its rich coloration in well-lit areas but the plant is able to live without it.

Water Specifications: 

Temperature range: 22–28°C (72–82°F) 

pH: 5.5 to 7.5 pH 

The hardness of water given to the plant should range between soft and fairly hard (from 2 to 12 dGH).
When the water conditions remain stable within these ranges plants develop better and display brighter colors.

Alternanthera reineckii 'Mini' thrives in nutrient-dense substrates. An aquarium soil substrate rich in iron and trace minerals supports both the growth and color development of this plant.

fertilizer: This plant maintains its vibrant red colors through regular feeding with iron-rich fertilizer along with CO₂. To ensure optimal growth of Alternanthera reineckii 'Mini', liquid fertilizers containing nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and trace elements should be administered weekly or bi-weekly.

Maintenance and Trimming: Regular trimming prevents the plant from casting shadows over its lower leaves while producing a dense and compact growth form. Use replanted cuttings for a denser carpet-like look while trimming the top growth from time to time to maintain structure.