Alternanthera sessilis

Alternanthera sessilis is found in many tropical and subtropical regions of the earth in moist to wet disturbed areas, e.g. in marshed, on roadsides and in gardens. A dark red form of this species is widely spread as ornamental plant, and it is also often sold as aquarium plant. However, in contrast to Alternanthera reineckii it is unsuitable for submersed cultivation. Under water it forms very long internodes with small leaves and a very large number of roots high on the plant.

Emersed cultivation of the A. sessilis is very easy. This strikingly dark red plant is also suitable for paludaria or terraria.