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Form of Alternanthera reineckii

Alternanthera Rosanervig

Alternanthera reineckii 'Rosanervig'

One of 3 forms of Alternanthera reineckii · See all forms →

Also known as Alternanthera reineckii 'Rosaefolia' Rosanervig, AR Rosanervig, Pink Rosanervig, Alternanthera cardinalis 'Rosanervig'

FreshwaterStemCuttingsSide shoots

Alternanthera Rosanervig (Alternanthera reineckii 'Rosanervig')
Aquarium Plants Factory · Used with permission

Forms · Alternanthera reineckii

See all 3 →

Care at a glance

Light
Medium light
CO2
CO₂ beneficial
Temperature
68–82°F
20–28°C
Max height
9.8 in
25 cm
Growth rate
Medium
Placement
Midground
Type
Stem
pH
6.0–7.0
Hardness
2–12 dGH
Spread
3.9 in (10 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Root + water column
Growth region
Submersed or emersed
Difficulty
Medium
Family
Amaranthaceae
Origin
Cultivar (species native to South America)

Overview

A good entry point into red plants: it colors up under medium light but rewards higher light and CO2 with a much more intense pink. Plant in small groups in the midground, or trim it low and use it toward the front for a splash of color. Top the stems and replant the cuttings to build a bush, and keep iron and traces topped up since the underside pink fades in nutrient-poor water.

In the wild

The parent species Alternanthera reineckii is a marsh plant from South America, growing along the margins of slow rivers and floodplains where it can live emersed on damp banks or fully submersed when water rises. 'Rosanervig' is a selected cultivar, not a wild population, prized for its pink leaves with pale, light-colored veins. It does not exist as a distinct plant in nature.

Good to know

Alternanthera reineckii sits in the amaranth family (Amaranthaceae) and is one of the few reliably red aquarium stem plants that are true dicots rather than Rotala/Ludwigia relatives. 'Rosanervig' is a vigorous culture form distinguished by lighter veins and a more compact, less robust stalk than standard reineckii. The pink pigment comes from anthocyanins concentrated in the leaf, which is why stronger light and good iron/micronutrient supply deepen the color.

Did you know

Did you know the emersed (grown out of water) form of Alternanthera reineckii is mostly green on top with pink undersides, and it only develops its full submersed pink once it has adapted to living underwater in the tank?

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