- Sku: 8805000
- Vendor: Squeaky's Aquatics
Alternanthera reineckii 'Mini'
Your order is reserved — we hold off on bagging until you arrive, so it stays healthy in its display tank.
Alternanthera reineckii 'Mini' (AR Mini) is a compact, vivid red stem plant that brings a bold splash of color to the front of a planted aquarium. Grown as pest-free tissue culture, it stays low and bushy, making it one of the most popular accent plants for nano and aquascaped tanks. Pair it with the rest of our freshwater aquarium plants to build a lush layout.
Planting & Care
- Care level: Intermediate — rewarding, but shows its best color with good light and nutrients.
- Placement: Foreground to midground; trim regularly to keep it compact and encourage bushy growth.
- Lighting: Medium to high. More light = deeper red and tighter, more compact growth.
- CO2: Recommended for the most vivid color and dense form, but it will grow without it (slower and greener).
- Nutrients: Responds well to an iron-rich, complete fertilizer dosing routine.
- Tissue culture: Lab-grown and pest-free — no snails, algae, or pesticides. Rinse the gel off the roots before planting.
Specifications
| Plant Name | Alternanthera reineckii 'Mini' |
| Common Name | AR Mini, Scarlet Temple 'Mini' |
| Origin | South America (cultivated) |
| Type | Compact stem plant |
| Placement | Foreground / Midground |
| Care Level | Intermediate |
| Lighting | Medium to High |
| CO2 | Recommended (not required) |
| Growth Rate | Slow to Moderate |
| Color | Pink to deep red |
| Water Temperature | 68–82°F |
| pH | 5.0–7.5 |
Aquascaping & Companions
AR Mini's red foliage pops against green carpets and stems. It pairs beautifully with:
- Green carpets like dwarf hairgrass
- Background stems like Rotala
- Hardy epiphytes like Bucephalandra
It's completely safe with fish, shrimp, and snails — in fact, dwarf shrimp and nerite snails help keep the leaves clean.
Recommended Pairings
- Carpet plants → Dwarf Hairgrass
- Color contrast stems → Rotala Vietnam H'ra
- Cleanup crew → Neocaridina Shrimp
- More plants → Freshwater Aquarium Plants
FAQ
Does AR Mini need CO2?
It doesn't strictly require CO2, but injected CO2 (plus medium-high light) produces the most compact growth and the deepest red color. Without CO2 it grows slower and leans more green.
Is it really pest-free?
Yes. As a lab-grown tissue culture plant, it arrives free of snails, algae, and pesticides — just rinse the gel from the roots before planting.
Where should I plant it?
Foreground to midground. Plant individual stems with a little spacing and trim the tops regularly to encourage a dense, bushy clump.
How do I get the brightest red?
High light, CO2, and a consistent iron-rich fertilizer routine bring out the most intense coloration.
Have a question?
Alternanthera reineckii 'Mini'
