Plant Profile
Alternanthera Rosaefolia, often affectionately called Magenta Water Hedge, is an iconic aquatic stem plant famous for its bold, magenta-to-ruby-red leaves with rich violet undersides. It's a cornerstone species in classic Dutch-style aquascapes, standing out even among other red and green plants with its striking, high-volume color. Growing 8 to 12 inches tall, its sturdy stems and full-volume foliage deliver knockout contrast wherever you place it, so if your midground or background needs a hedge with some personality, this is it!
Tissue Culture cups ensure your aquascape gets a super clean starting point. Lab‑grown and fully sterile, it arrives without pests, snails, duckweed, or any unwanted algae. It’s the go‑to option for anyone who wants peace of mind when adding fresh greenery to a carefully maintained setup.
Key Features & Benefits
- Intense magenta and crimson red foliage introduces bold color contrast into midground and background layout zones.
- Beginner-friendly and provides vibrant color without extreme maintenance demands.
- Dense leaves provide shelter and protective cover for skittish fish and dwarf shrimp.
Care & Planting Instructions
-
Thoroughly wash away the nutrient gel from the roots with your fingers before parting it out into manageable portions.
- Use fine-tip pinsettes to plant small stem clusters 1 inch apart into aquarium soil.
- Provide medium-to-high lighting. Regular dosing of liquid fertilizers like UNS Plant Food (2–3 times per week) and pressurized CO2 injection are highly recommended to yield maximum magenta coloration and prevent stem stunting. See our guide to growing red aquarium plants.
- Maintain stable water parameters and avoid sudden parameter swings to prevent stem melting or rotting.
- Trim stem tops or side shoots with curved scissors once stems reach the desired height, and replant trimmings directly into substrate to propagate and expand your hedge. Read our trimming & propagation guide for details.
Quick Facts
Listed information should be treated as general guidelines only. Team Buce Plant encourages you to do thorough research to ensure healthy growth!
| Attribute |
Specification |
| Scientific Name |
Alternanthera reineckii 'Rosaefolia' |
| Common Name(s) |
Alternanthera Rosaefolia Aquatic Farmer Tissue Culture, AR Rosaefolia, Magenta Water Hedge |
| Family |
Amaranthaceae |
| Plant Type / Taxonomy |
Stem Plant |
| Care Difficulty |
Medium |
| Light Requirement |
Medium to High |
| CO2 Requirement |
Recommended (Essential for rich magenta-red color) |
| Placement / Usage |
Midground / Background Centerpiece |
| Height / Size |
8–12”+ |
| Growth Rate |
Moderate |
| Water Parameters |
pH 5.0–7.0 |
| Propagation Method |
Cuttings (Cut stem, new growth, or lateral shoots) |
| Origin |
South America |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why are the lower leaves falling off my stem plants?
Lower leaf loss (leggy stems) usually occurs when lighting cannot reach the bottom of the plant due to overcrowding or shading from larger plants. Spacing individual stems slightly apart during initial planting and maintaining strong light penetration will keep lower leaves healthy.
2. How do I keep Alternanthera Rosaefolia Tissue Culture displaying deep red foliage?
Providing strong lighting, pressurized CO2, a nutrient-dense substrate, and regular micronutrient dosing with liquid iron ensures intense magenta-red foliage and prevents stem tips from stalling or melting.
3. How do I prepare Alternanthera Rosaefolia Tissue Culture before planting?
Carefully remove the gel from the roots by washing the plant in a bowl of room-temperature water or gently rinsing it under a tap. Once the gel is removed, separate the dense cluster into smaller clumps or individual stems and plant them into substrate using fine pinsettes.
