Cardinal Plant aka Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) Tissue Culture

Cardinal Plant is a very versatile North American plant that can be grown submerged or emersed in aquariums, palludariums, and terrariums!

Cardinal Plant (Lobelia cardinalis) is a very unusual foreground and middle ground plant for the planted freshwater aquarium. It can also be excellent in the background if grown tall enough. Its submerged form is bright green, sometimes with red-purple on the undersides of the leaves, although this red-purple coloration is more typical in its emersed form. This plant is perhaps best known for the bright red flower that grows from its emersed form.

Cardinal Plant requires moderate to high lighting. Its tops can be trimmed and replanted to increase the size of the mat. It produces side shoot leaves that will be more lush with optimal care. It will grow much more quickly in nutrient-rich substrate and will also benefit from CO₂ supplementation, but this is not absolutely required. Fertilizers will often be helpful in assuring that this plant maintains its best coloration and form.

This listing is for a single rhizome with multiple stems or a small bunch of 2-3 rhizomes with a few less stems of this lovely plant. It is sure to be a standout species in any planted aquarium. It is not too demanding in care, so it is a great option for all aquarists!

Like most plants, Cardinal Plant will benefit from supplementation such as Seachem Flourish, Flourish Excel, Flourish Nitrogen, Flourish Iron, and other plant supplements.  

This listing is for the tissue culture form of Cardinal Plant. Tissue cultures are superior to traditional forms of aquarium plants in many ways. They are produced in a completely sterile environment which eliminates the possibility of them carrying pest snails or algae spores. They have a shelf life (before introduction to the aquarium) of several months if properly maintained and they are housed in a nutrient gel until introduced to the aquarium. To introduce a tissue culture plant to the aquarium, simply rinse off as much nutrient gel as possible, then plant as usual. The nutrient gel will not harm your aquarium.  

 Packaging may vary. Tissue Culture plants may arrive in bag or cup form. 

What We Like About This Plant:

• Tissue cultures contain no unwanted pest animals or algae
• Vibrant coloration
• Moderate care, including lighting
• Excellent foreground or middle ground plant
• Provides protective cover for fry

Care Guidelines:

• Temperature: 63° - 82° F (17° - 28° C)
• pH: 6.0 – 7.0
• Lighting: Moderate to high
• Potential Height: 4 - 12 inches (10 – 30 cm)
• Origin: Lab-grown tissue culture, but indigenous to North America
• Aquarium Placement: Foreground, Middle, possibly Background
• Care: Easy to Moderate
• Growth Rate: Moderate

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