Alternanthera reineckii ‘Mini’

🌿 Introduction
Alternanthera reineckii ‘Mini’ 2″ pot is a compact red cultivar Started from cultures admired for its brilliant coloration and low-growing, bushy form. Originally derived from wild A. reineckii found along South American riverbanks, this variety has been selectively bred for aquariums, where it adds striking contrast in the foreground and front midground.

🌱 Plant Profile

• Type: Stem plant

• Origin: South America (Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina)

• Position: Foreground to front midground

• Growth Rate: Medium

• Lighting: Medium to high

• CO₂: Recommended for compact growth and vivid color

• Height / Spread: 2–6″ tall · 4–8″ spread

• Water Parameters: pH 6.0–7.5 · GH 3–10 · KH 1–5

✅ Care Summary

• Best planted in clusters at the foreground or front midground, where its compact red form stands out against green carpeting plants.

• Space stems slightly apart so lower leaves receive light and remain healthy.

• Trim regularly and replant cuttings to create dense groupings and maintain shape.

• Strong light and supplemental CO₂ bring out the deepest reds and help prevent tall, leggy growth.

• Provides excellent contrast in aquascapes and doubles as shelter for small fish and shrimp.

🌿 Q&A

Q: Where should I place AR ‘Mini’ in my aquarium?
A: Its small size makes it best for the foreground to front midground, where it creates a colorful transition between low carpets and taller background plants.

Q: Can AR ‘Mini’ grow without CO₂?
A: Yes, but it will grow taller and looser with lighter coloration. CO₂ helps it stay compact and deeply red.

Q: How do I stop it from melting when first planted?
A: Gradually transition it from emersed to submerged growth, remove deteriorating leaves, and provide stable water parameters to encourage healthy regrowth.

Q: What role does it play in the aquarium ecosystem?
A: Dense clusters offer cover for fry, shrimp, and small fish, while mimicking the protective shoreline vegetation of its native habitat.

🌍 More About Alternanthera reineckii ‘Mini’
The parent species, Alternanthera reineckii, was first described in the 19th century and is native to South America, where it thrives along the edges of rivers, lakes, and floodplains. In the wild, it is found in shallow margins and slower-flowing zones, anchoring in sandy or silty substrates that are periodically submerged during seasonal floods. These areas provide shelter for small fish and invertebrates, which dart among the dense stems for protection.

The ‘Mini’ cultivar was developed for aquascaping and quickly became a staple in modern planted aquariums. Unlike its taller relatives, AR ‘Mini’ maintains a compact profile, making it especially valuable in the foreground and front midground, where red plants are usually too tall. It echoes the plant’s natural adaptations to fluctuating waterlines while providing aquarists with a vibrant tool for depth, texture, and ecological realism in the tank.