{"product_id":"alternanthera-reineckii-cardinalis","title":"Alternanthera reineckii (Cardinalis)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ci\u003eAlternanthera reineckii\u003c\/i\u003e 'Cardinalis', widely known as Cardinal Plant, is a stunning and vibrant stem plant prized for its rich, ruby-red to deep-magenta foliage. It provides an exceptional, fiery color contrast against the lush green carpets and hardscape elements of a freshwater aquascape, making it a favorite focal point for aquarists looking to add depth and warmth to their tank layouts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eShort Description \u0026amp; Highlights\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eAlternanthera reineckii\u003c\/i\u003e 'Cardinalis' is a striking midground to background stem plant originating from South America. Its distinct, lance-shaped leaves boast brilliant red undersides and intense coloration, elevating the visual appeal of any community or planted aquarium. While manageable for beginners who provide proper nutrient supplementation, it truly flourishes and maintains its deep coloration under adequate lighting and optimal water conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eKey Product Highlights:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetails\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003ci\u003eAlternanthera reineckii\u003c\/i\u003e 'Cardinalis'\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCardinal Plant, Scarlet Temple\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003ePlacement\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMidground to Background\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eCare Level\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eModerate (Suitable for dedicated beginners)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMedium\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eMax Height\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e8 to 15 inches (20 to 40 cm)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eLighting Demand\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eModerate to High (Essential for intense red coloration)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eWater Parameters\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemp: 59°F–82°F (15°C–28°C) | pH: 6.0–7.5 | KH: 3–8\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDetailed Beginner Care Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e1. Placement \u0026amp; Aquascaping\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePositioned best in the midground or background, \u003ci\u003eAlternanthera reineckii\u003c\/i\u003e 'Cardinalis' serves as a magnificent accent plant. Planting them in staggered groups creates a bold, dense bush of color. Because of its vertical growth pattern, it breaks up monotonous green layouts and provides a natural shelter for freshwater livestock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e2. Lighting \u0026amp; Coloration\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLighting is the driving force behind the signature red hue of the Cardinal Plant. To prevent the lower leaves from shedding and to ensure the upper foliage remains brilliantly deep red, provide moderate-to-high aquarium lighting. Insufficient light may cause the stems to turn a dull brownish-green.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e3. Substrates, Nutrients \u0026amp; CO2\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA nutrient-dense substrate or the use of root tabs is highly recommended to support its robust root system. Regular dosing of liquid fertilizers containing iron will significantly enhance its vibrant red coloration. While \u003cspan class=\"math-inline\"\u003eCO2\u003c\/span\u003e supplementation is not strictly required for survival, adding \u003cspan class=\"math-inline\"\u003eCO2\u003c\/span\u003e will accelerate growth speed, encourage bushier lateral branching, and maximize overall plant health.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Plants","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57050287145300,"sku":"ST010047","price":4.8,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/5828\/7444\/files\/Alternantherareineckii_Cardinalis.jpg?v=1788871728","url":"https:\/\/www.tropicalmarineaquatic.com\/products\/alternanthera-reineckii-cardinalis","provider":"Tropical Marine Aquatic","version":"1.0","type":"link"}