Variegated Scarlet Temple (Alternanthera reineckii 'Rosanervig') - Potted

Variegated Scarlet Temple (Alternanthera reineckii 'Rosanervig') is the pink form of Scarlet Temple. Submersed, its leaves turn rose pink with paler, almost white veins running through them, a softer look than the deep red most people picture when they hear Alternanthera. It is a true aquatic plant, so it grows fully underwater, and it makes a strong midground accent in front of green stems. It wants decent light and some iron to show its color, so we rate it intermediate. See the rest of our live freshwater plants to plan the layout around it.

Care Guide

• It arrived grown above water. Nursery pots are grown emersed, so the plant looks greener and more bronze in the pot than it will in your tank. Remove the pot and rockwool, plant the stems, and expect a few of the old leaves to drop while new pink submersed leaves come in over two to four weeks.
• Light: moderate to high. Light is what turns it pink. In a dim tank it stays muddy green and stretches.
• CO2: recommended for the best color and steady growth, though it will grow slowly without it in a well-lit tank.
• Fertilizer: iron keeps the pink from fading, so dose Seachem Flourish Iron alongside a comprehensive fertilizer, and push Seachem Flourish Tabs into the substrate near the roots.
• Water: 72 to 82°F, pH 6.0 to 7.5, soft to moderately hard.
• Growth and trimming: slow to moderate. Trim the tops once they get leggy and replant them to thicken the group.

Specifications

Placement and Companions

Where it goes: midground, in a group of several stems, in tanks 10 gallons and up. It stays short enough to sit in front of taller background stems.

Other forms we carry: the standard Scarlet Temple if you want deep red rather than pink, and a tissue culture Rosanervig cup of this same plant. The cup starts smaller and lab grown, free of pests and algae. This pot gives you a larger plant on day one.

Companions: bright green backdrops make the pink stand out. Try Water Wisteria or Temple Plant behind it. Safe with shrimp, snails and community fish.

Recommended Supplies

• Seachem Flourish Iron: iron to hold the pink color.
• Seachem Flourish: comprehensive water column fertilizer.
• Seachem Flourish Tabs: root tabs for the base of the stems.
• CaribSea Eco-Complete: a nutrient-rich planted substrate.
• Scarlet Temple: the deep red form, for a pink to red gradient.

FAQ

Why does it look green and bronze in the pot?
It was grown above water at the nursery. The pink, pale-veined leaves are the submersed form and grow in after planting. Give it strong light and iron.

Can I plant it fully underwater?
Yes. Unlike Joseph's Coat or Florida Ruffle, this is a true aquatic Alternanthera and belongs fully submersed.

What is the difference between this and your Rosanervig cup?
Same plant, different start. The cup is tissue culture, small and grown in a lab. This is a potted nursery plant, bigger and less expensive, but it will go through the usual emersed to submersed transition.

My leaves are losing their pink. What happened?
Almost always low light or low iron. Raise the light first, then add an iron supplement. New leaves will come in pink again.