Alternanthera reineckii mini

Care at a glance

Overview

Grown as a red mid-ground or even foreground accent thanks to its small size and slow, compact growth. Plant individual stems close together as a cluster and give it medium-to-high light plus iron-rich dosing for full red color; CO2 is not strictly required but markedly improves density and color. It is slower and fussier to establish than the full-size plant, so be patient after planting. Trim and replant tops to thicken the patch and keep the base from thinning.

In the wild

A compact dwarf cultivar of Alternanthera reineckii, which in the wild ranges across southern Brazil, Paraguay, northern Argentina, Bolivia, and Uruguay in marshes and flooded margins. 'Mini' does not occur in nature; it is a selected, slow, low-growing form developed for the hobby. It keeps the species' green-to-red coloration on much shorter, denser stems.

Good to know

A trade cultivar of the amaranth-family species Alternanthera reineckii, selected for dwarf stature and tighter internodes. Unlike the tall parent, it stays roughly 5 to 10 cm and forms a low compact bush rather than a leggy stem. Its color chemistry (anthocyanins on the leaf undersides) is identical to the standard form.

Did you know

Because it stays so short and compact, AR 'Mini' is one of the few red plants you can actually use as a foreground splash of color, a role normally reserved for green carpeting plants.

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