1. Alternathera reineckii 'Variegated'
Our 5 'Best' Red Plants and Why
Alternathera reineckii ‘variegated’- We have accidentally neglected this plant to the point that it should die, but it’s response is “whatever, we are gonna keep growing.” It remains one of our best-selling, if not *the* best selling plants we keep in stock regularly. Cheap and easy to maintain, they’re great for any tank we have thrown them in so far. Planted aquariums, straight gravel substrate, just thrown in just a filled tank with their growing fabric, they have done fine. They spread quickly and provide a deep bold red that provides a nice contrast next to bright green plants. Easy to trim, easy to root, can grow about two feet if done right. Can grow immersed. Grows well in full sun at the greenhouse so we can tell you it loves bright light and warm water! Prefers soft, acidic water, but we have very hard water here. Again, they don’t seem to mind. We do regular water changes to reduce algal buildup which is a known problem, but not really one we have encountered. Does well with high nitrates and phosphates, so pairs well with tropical fish.
Another variety of this, Alternathera lilacina, is also called the ‘magenta water hedge,’ and has a much deeper red hue.
- Myriophyllum Tuberculatum
The Myriophyllum tuberculatum we have is strikingly red, and the feathered leaves are a unique look that you can only find in aquatic plants. Before I worked at Dustin’s Fishtanks, I just had a massive collection of terrestrial houseplants. That has obviously changed. This style of plant will impress those same kind of people. It is relatively easy to grow and provides great cover for fish fry. Other than floating plants, these are essential for an aquatic, pond or stream look in my opinion. Prefers acidic waters, but does well in hard water. This species is well known to require iron supplements, planted aquariums with clay substrate is great in this manner.
The Rotala wallichi looks similar but is much softer, has more of a purple hue, except the new tips of growth which are bright red before they take form. The wallichi we have also kept in a still environment and had great success with too.
- Red Tiger Lotus
Red tiger lotuses! Slowly becoming my favorite plant. Each time A new pad reaches the surface of the water, it is extremely satisfying and adorable. It has tuberous roots which forms a large rhizome that you can divide if done correctly. The bulb you are dividing much show a crown from which new sprouts are showing. You can also just use some Dustin’s dirt in an outdoor tub and grow these bad boys on a sunny backporch. Theyre great for covering the surface of the water in half of your aquarium, provide a partially shaded area of the tank. An alternative to this, which is popular with aquarists, is to ‘train’ the leaves to be have submersed leaves instead of floating leaves. They will probably require you to trim them, and have intense root systems that can dominate the substrate. They are popularly put in pots to limit this, and almost limit this dominating growth.
- Ludwigia inclinata
Ludwigia inclinata has really shown its colors in the new greenhouse, pun intended. Its soft, rounded leaves grow stunningly red in a bright, warm tank. The roots from these inclinata have literally started to grab onto the growing fabric of nearby plants. Inclinata can also grow emersed for a pond style aquarium. They have done extremely well in our still basins that get full sun, and probably doubled in size in a week. Like most aquarium stem plants, they’re easy to trim, and root after a few days floating. They’re trimmed frequently and intently because of their rapid rate of growth and it helps lateral growth for a bushier effect. A secondary effect is preventing it from dominating the tank. Like many red plants, a higher nitrate and phosphate will help create a redder hue.
- Ludwigia ‘Super red’ or 'Triple red'
Ludwigia Palustris ‘Super red’ or ‘Triple red’ is a great alternative to any of my other favorite plants. Also, it requires high light, and has done well in full sun in both a basin with a flow, and a still basin. I have a planted tank, and these and the tiger lotuses provide a similar, beet red hue that I think looks fantastic. Not as easy Alt reineckii, but still an easy plant to take care of. Another stem plant that can be easily trimmed and replanted. It can be easily emersed. Ludwegia Palustris “Super Red” doesn’t have the same leaf shape as a normal Ludwegia Palustris. It’s kind of wide, like a normal Palustris, but comes to a point like a Ludwegia Repens would.