Pogostemon Octopus
You will receive a bundle of freshly harvested Alternanthera Reineckii "Red" stems, packed to arrive healthy and ready to plant.
Alternanthera Reineckii "Red" is the bold, broad-leafed classic of the AR family — a plant that has anchored dramatic planted aquascapes for decades and remains one of the most impactful red stem plants available. Where AR Narrow Leaf delivers refined elegance with its slender profile, AR Red commands attention with wide, lance-shaped leaves that develop deep crimson and burgundy tones across their full surface under strong light. Planted in a dense mid-to-background grouping it creates a vivid, saturated block of red that draws the eye immediately and provides powerful contrast against green foreground plants and light-colored hardscape.
✦ What you're getting
Stems are available in bundles of 5, 10, or 15. All stems are grown emersed, arriving with developed roots that anchor quickly and transition to submersed growth with vigor. Expect new submersed leaf growth within 1–2 weeks of planting.
✦ Care at a glance
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Lighting: High (deep red color requires strong light — this is non-negotiable for AR Red)
• CO₂: Recommended for best color intensity and growth rate
• Fertilizer: Nutrient-rich substrate strongly recommended; regular liquid dosing with iron and micronutrients is key to sustaining deep red coloration
• Temperature: 72–82°F (22–28°C)
• pH: 6.0–7.5
• Placement: Mid to background
✦ Color & performance notes
AR Red is one of the most rewarding red plants in the hobby when given what it needs — and one of the most underwhelming when it doesn't get it. Under high light with CO₂ and consistent nutrient dosing it produces broad, deeply saturated crimson leaves that are among the most striking available in any stem plant. Under low or moderate light it loses its red coloration, shifting toward green, and growth becomes sparse and leggy. Iron supplementation is the single biggest lever for deepening and sustaining the red — if color is fading, iron is the first thing to check.
✦ AR Red vs. AR Narrow Leaf
Hobbyists often ask about the difference between AR varieties. AR Red features broader, larger leaves and a bolder, more dominant presence in a layout — ideal as a centerpiece grouping or strong background anchor. AR Narrow Leaf has a more refined, delicate silhouette suited to detailed aquascaping work. Both are beautiful; the choice comes down to the scale and style of your layout.
✦ Growth & propagation
AR Red grows at a moderate pace. Trim tops regularly to encourage bushy, lateral branching and prevent leggy single stems. Cuttings root readily in a nutrient-rich substrate — replant trimmed tops directly and they will establish quickly. Consistent trimming keeps the lower stems from becoming bare as the plant grows toward the light.
✦ Shipping & live arrival
All plants are shipped with heat or cool packs as needed based on weather. I guarantee live arrival — if your plants arrive in poor condition, contact me with a photo within 24 hours of delivery and I will make it right.