Alternanthera reineckii (Emergent Form)

Alternanthera reineckii is a familiar aquarium stem plant celebrated for its vivid magenta, pink, and red foliage under aquarium lighting. In its emergent form, grown with stems rising above the waterline, it produces broader, more intensely pigmented leaves and takes on a more shrubby, upright habit — the colours often deepening even further than the submerged form. This makes it a spectacular bridging plant in the transition zone of paludariums, where the waterline meets the land section.

The emergent form is vigorous and fast-growing, benefiting from regular pruning to maintain a compact, bushy shape. Cut stems can be replanted in the aquatic section to produce new submerged growth, giving this versatile plant a dual role in any paludarium setup. It requires bright light to maintain its vivid pigmentation in both growth forms.

Light: High; 3,000–6,000 lux; without strong light the red pigmentation fades to dull green. CO2/Humidity: No CO2 in emergent form; keep roots at or below waterline and stems in humid air. Fertilisation: Weekly dilute liquid fertiliser; iron supplementation intensifies red and pink colouration. Placement: Plant in substrate at the waterline transition; allow stems to grow upward into the humid air zone. Propagation: Stem cuttings replanted in substrate root within days; extremely easy to propagate.