Alternanthera reineckii 'Rosaefolia'

Alternanthera reineckii 'Rosaefolia' is a colour variant of the widely cultivated South American marsh plant, selected for its softer, rosy-pink foliage rather than the deep red of standard forms. The elongated, lance-shaped leaves display a blend of green, orange and pink tones that shifts with lighting intensity and nutrient availability, creating a living gradient of warm colour in the midground of planted aquariums. Like all reineckii varieties it benefits from high light and CO2 injection for compact growth and vivid pigmentation, though it is generally considered slightly easier to colour than the darkest red forms. It is an excellent choice for aquascapers seeking pastel warm tones.

Light: High (45–60 PAR); rosy-pink colouration requires strong lighting. CO2: Required for compact growth; 20–30 mg/L recommended. Fertilisation: Iron and trace element supplementation critical for maintaining pink tones. Placement: Midground accent groups; effective when planted in tight clusters. Propagation: Cut 5–8 cm tip cuttings; trim regularly to encourage dense bushy habit.