{"product_id":"alternanthera-reineckii-lila","title":"Alternanthera reineckii 'Lila'","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ci\u003eAlternanthera reineckii\u003c\/i\u003e 'Lila' (often associated with the \u003ci\u003elilacina\u003c\/i\u003e variety) is a captivating stem plant featuring rich, deep foliage with distinctive bronze-green tops and striking purple-lilac undersides. It provides an extraordinary, moody color contrast against standard green aquarium carpeting and background plants, making it a stellar centerpiece for freshwater aquascapes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eShort Description \u0026amp; Highlights\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eAlternanthera reineckii\u003c\/i\u003e 'Lila' is a gorgeous South American stem plant prized for its unique metallic lilac and purple leaf hues. Well-suited for ambitious beginners looking to introduce distinct color into their layout, it creates a dramatic vertical element when planted in groups within the midground or background.\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 'Lila' (\u003ci\u003elilacina\u003c\/i\u003e)\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\u003eLilac Alternanthera, Lilac Water Hedge\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 (Accessible to attentive 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\u003eSlow to Medium\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 20 inches (20 to 50 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\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: 72°F–82°F (22°C–28°C) | pH: 6.0–7.5 | Hardness: Soft to Moderately Hard\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. Aquascaping \u0026amp; Placement\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePosition \u003ci\u003eAlternanthera reineckii\u003c\/i\u003e 'Lila' in the midground or as a striking background accent. Planting individual stems with a small gap (about 1 to 2 inches apart) ensures proper water circulation and light penetration to the lower leaves, preventing premature lower-leaf drop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e2. Lighting \u0026amp; Coloration\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo maintain its signature purple-lilac underleaf intensity, this plant requires moderate-to-high full-spectrum LED lighting. Insufficient lighting can cause the lower portions to fade and stunt the vibrant color expression. Aim for a photoperiod of 8 to 10 hours daily.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e3. Substrate, Nutrients \u0026amp; Maintenance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe plant feeds heavily through both its root system and water column. It thrives best when planted in a nutrient-rich aquarium soil supplemented with regular liquid fertilizers (focusing on iron and potassium). While \u003cspan class=\"math-inline\"\u003eCO2\u003c\/span\u003e injection is optional, a modest supply (\u003cspan class=\"math-inline\"\u003e20–30mg\/L\u003c\/span\u003e) dramatically accelerates growth speed and overall leaf health. Regular trimming of tall stems encourages lateral branching, creating a fuller, bushier appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Plants","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57050287178068,"sku":"ST010042","price":3.98,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/5828\/7444\/files\/Alternantherareineckii_Lila.png?v=1788871447","url":"https:\/\/www.tropicalmarineaquatic.com\/products\/alternanthera-reineckii-lila","provider":"Tropical Marine Aquatic","version":"1.0","type":"link"}