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A vibrant dwarf cultivar of the popular parrot leaf, Alternanthera reineckii 'Mini' stands out with its striking red to brown-red hues and compact growth habit. Ideal for foreground placement or nano aquariums, this plant offers aquascapers a splash of bold colour in a small, manageable size. It thrives with proper care and becomes a dense, bushy accent that contrasts beautifully against lighter green plants.
Scientific Name: Alternanthera reineckii 'Mini'
Family: Amaranthaceae
Origin: Cultivar; base species native to South America
Height: 5 – 20 cm
Light Requirements: Medium to High
CO₂ Requirements: Medium to High
Growth Rate: Slow to Moderate
Difficulty Level: Moderate
More Information:
Alternanthera reineckii 'Mini' first gained popularity in Europe around 2007 under the name A. reineckii 'rosaefolia minor'. While the base species is native to the wetlands of tropical and subtropical South America, the exact origin of this compact form is not clearly known.
Submersed growth results in a bushy, colourful plant ideal for foreground use. With regular trimming, it forms a low carpet around 5 cm tall, but if left untrimmed, it can reach up to 20 cm, still retaining its dense, branching structure. Its leaves are generally about 5 cm long and 1.4 cm wide, though often smaller in aquarium conditions.
When grown emersed, it develops taller stems with greener, more elongated leaves. However, once placed underwater, it adapts by producing shorter internodes and compact shoots, reverting to its more familiar miniature form.
This plant benefits from stable parameters: temperatures between 22–28 °C, high lighting, a full macro- and micronutrient regimen, and CO₂ injection. Tissue culture specimens should be gently divided and spaced in the substrate, while potted forms can be trimmed into 1–2 node cuttings before planting. Pruning encourages horizontal growth and can be used to propagate new plants.
Due to its compact size, rich colour, and relatively slow growth, Alternanthera reineckii 'Mini' is an excellent choice for creating visual depth and contrast in aquascapes — particularly in the foreground, as a colour accent, or even as a short "plant street" in Dutch-style layouts.
