Alternanthera reineckii 'Rosaefolia' is the red plant most aquascapers wish they had started with. Its broad leaves range from deep burgundy on top to vibrant purple-rose underneath, creating a richness of color that holds even under moderate light — a meaningful advantage over more demanding red species. It contrasts naturally against bright greens, stone and driftwood, and fine-leafed stem plants, and it's fully safe alongside Neocaridina, Caridina shrimp, and fry. For aquascapers stepping into color work for the first time, this is a reliable and rewarding place to start.

Recommended CO₂

72–82°F Temperature

Med–High Lighting

What to Expect

Growth & Behavior Over Time

Rich two-sided leaf coloration — the topside of each leaf presents deep red to burgundy while the underside shows a brighter purple-rose, giving the plant a layered, velvety depth unlike flat-colored red plants. Color holds under moderate light — unlike many red stem plants that fade or go green without intense lighting, 'Rosaefolia' maintains its coloration across a wider range of conditions, making it more forgiving to keep. Moderate, manageable growth rate — grows steadily without becoming unruly, giving you more control over placement and shape compared to faster-growing stem plants that need constant attention. Responds well to trimming — stems branch readily from cut points, and frequent trimming encourages the dense, shrub-like groupings that make this plant such an effective midground or background focal point. Excellent cover for shrimp and fry — the broad, layered leaves create natural shelter and biofilm surfaces that shrimp and young fry actively use for grazing and hiding. Iron and nutrients deepen coloration — while the plant holds color without heavy supplementation, consistent iron and micronutrient dosing noticeably enriches the reds and adds saturation to the purple undersides.

How to Set It Up

Getting Started

1 Plant in grouped clusters — place several stems together in the midground or background for immediate visual impact. Isolated stems look sparse; tight groupings create the bold color block effect this plant is best known for.

2 Provide medium to high lighting — color intensity scales with light. Medium light sustains the plant well; higher light pushes the burgundy and rose tones toward their richest, most saturated expression.

3 Dose iron and micronutrients consistently — iron in particular has a direct effect on coloration. Pair with a balanced fertilizer routine and CO₂ supplementation for the best overall growth and color quality.

4 Trim and replant tops regularly — when stems reach height, trim and replant the cuttings directly into the cluster. This builds a fuller, more layered bush faster than waiting for natural branching alone.

💡 Bonus Tip

Trim stems regularly and replant the tops to encourage fuller, shrub-like growth — coloration intensifies noticeably when trimming is combined with consistent iron-rich fertilization, particularly in the newly developing top growth.

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Browse more aquatic plants

Pair 'Rosaefolia' with bright green stem plants or fine-leafed midground species for striking color contrast. Browse our Aquatic Plants collection.

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