Alternanthera rosaefolia

Scientific name: Alternanthera rosaefolia

Family: Amaranthaceae

Usual maximum size in aquariums: 30 - 50 cm (11.81 - 19.69 inch)

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Recommended pH range for the species: 5.8 - 7.2

Recommended water hardness (dGH): 4 - 12°N (71.43 - 214.29ppm)

0°C 32°F30°C 86°F

Recommended temperature: 18 - 20 °C (64.4 - 68°F)

Reproduction of the plant: Cuttings

Origin (in the wild): South America

How fast these plants grow: Slow

Recommended substrate: Fine gravel

Demands on lighting: Bright

Ideal placement in a fish tank: Background

Common Names

Alternanthera rosaefolia is known as Magenta water hedge.

Origin

South America, Alternanthera rosaefolia are found in the Amazonian waterways.

Planting Area

Midground to background are best areas for planting Alternanthera rosaefolia.

Lighting Requirements

In order to look after this plant properly, medium to high lighting is required. If it’s kept under low lighting, the growth rate will be very slow. It can be successful if the lighting is low but to get the best keep the lighting above medium and it will reach maximum growth and display the best colouration. Lower lighting levels can also cause loss of leaves over time.

Propagation

This plant species should be very easy to propagate, remove the middle shoot and plant it straight away in the substrate. This will make the mother plant bush out. Side shoots can be also used as a source for cuttings.

Difficulty

Medium, if correct lighting is used, Alternanthera rosaefolia are quite easy to grow and reproduce.

Short Description

These plants are excellent for blending in with green foliage. Red leafs of this plant offer a high contrast against the green and they are also useful for filling out any gaps in the foliage. The stems will vary slightly in colouration from the red leaves, they will grow with a reddish purple colouration which also serves to make them look even more aesthetically appealing. This particular species will of course require nutrients in the form of liquid feeds or root tabs to be in top condition, and it belongs to a large number of species that belong to the same genus, most of these have proven very popular in the aquarium trade as they are quite happy to be grown submersed, they are extremely popular in the Netherlands where they first made an appearance, ideal for Dutch aquarium set ups.