• Stem plant
  • Medium
  • Medium–high light
  • CO₂: required

Alternanthera reineckii

Scarlet temple · Temple plant red

Medium stem plant for medium and high light. It needs added CO₂. It is used in the midground and background. Growth is medium, and it is rated medium to keep.

Sources compared · 2 sources · Reviewed Oct 3, 2026

Buy from $6.99

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Alternanthera reineckii with deep red-purple leaves growing densely in a containerPhoto: V C balakrishnan, CC BY-SA 4.0
Alternanthera reineckii with deep red-purple leaves growing densely in a container

At a glance

Plant type
Stem plant Midground, Background
Light
Medium, High
CO₂
Required
Difficulty
Medium Growth rate: Slow to fast (sources differ)
Height
4–12 in (10–30 cm)
Water
Not recorded pH 6.5–7.5
Leaf color
  • Red
Propagation
Cuttings
Botanical name
Alternanthera reineckii

In the tank

Our sources don't record anything else about this plant in the tank.

Origin

Native to Central America and South America

Sources

Where to buy

Prices rechecked daily
  • Aquatic ArtsBunch

    1 BUNCH

    Check availability

    $6.99Checked Nov 14, 2026
  • Buce PlantBunch

    Lead Bunch

    Check availability

    $7.99Checked Nov 14, 2026

Prices checked Nov 14, 2026.

All photos

Questions

Does Alternanthera reineckii need strong light?

Alternanthera reineckii grows in medium or high light.

Does Alternanthera reineckii need CO₂?

Yes. Without added CO₂ Alternanthera reineckii tends to stall and melt.

Where does Alternanthera reineckii go in the tank?

Alternanthera reineckii is used in the midground and background.

See also

See all →
Bacopa monnieri emersed stems with small oval leaves and a pale lilac flower Photo: Alex Popovkin, Bahia, Brazil, CC BY 2.0 Bacopa monnieri Easy stem plant for medium and high light. MediumEasyMidground
Ceratophyllum demersum stems with whorls of forked needle-like leaves on pale stone Photo: Víctor Dávalos, CC BY 4.0 Hornwort Easy stem plant for medium and high light. MediumEasyBackground
Lobelia cardinalis flower spike with red flowers Photo: sonnia hill, CC BY 2.0 Lobelia cardinalis Easy stem plant for medium and high light. MediumEasyForeground
Ludwigia repens stem with reddish leaves and white water roots, under water Photo: Show ryu., CC BY-SA 3.0 Ludwigia repens Medium stem plant for medium light. MediumMediumMidground

Same leaf color

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Phyllanthus fluitans round floating leaves in green and red with roots below Photo: Monarchatto, CC BY-SA 4.0 Red root floater Easy rosette plant for low, medium, and high light. LowEasyFloating
Alternanthera reineckii Mini, a low bushy group of small red leaves in an aquarium foreground Alternanthera reineckii 'Mini' Medium stem plant for medium and high light. MediumMediumForeground
Alternanthera reineckii Rosanervig stems with pink-red leaves in a home aquarium Alternanthera reineckii 'Rosanervig' Medium stem plant for medium and high light. MediumMediumMidground
Ammannia gracilis stem with narrow opposite leaves, green to orange, grown submerged Photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0 Ammannia gracilis Difficult stem plant for high light. HighDifficultMidground

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