Round leaves, low and tidy. Lobelia cardinalis 'Mini' is a dwarf selection of the tall Cardinal Plant, bred to stay short and bushy — tight rosettes of rounded, bright green leaves that hold near the substrate instead of climbing. Under strong light it picks up a reddish tint. This is the sterile Vitro Culture® format.
What You’ll Receive
One 4-inch sealed Vitro Culture® bag containing healthy Lobelia cardinalis 'Mini' plantlets—ready to rinse, acclimate, and plant.
Plant Profile
- Common name — Dwarf Cardinal Plant
- Scientific name — Lobelia cardinalis 'Mini'
- Placement — Foreground to midground
- Mature height — 2–4 in
- Growth rate — Medium
Care
- Difficulty — Intermediate
- Light — Medium to high. Light is what keeps the rosettes tight
- CO₂ — Recommended
- Water — 68–82°F · pH 6.0–7.0
- Substrate — Required. Nutrient substrate or root tabs
- Growth habit — Amphibious. Also grows emersed
- Propagation — Cuttings and lateral shoots
Grower’s Notes
- It is a stem plant pretending to be a rosette. Under good light it stays compact and reads as a foreground cluster. Let the light drop and it reverts to stretching upward like its full-size parent — at which point it is no longer a foreground plant.
- Trim the tops and replant them to build a group; lateral shoots thicken it from the base.
- The rounded leaf shape is unusual in the foreground, where most options are grass or clover — use it where you want a different texture rather than more of the same.
- Feed at the roots; a nutrient substrate makes a visible difference to compactness.
- Rinse the gel off completely before planting or it clouds water and feeds algae early on.
Notes
- Photos are for reference only. Coloration and size may vary based on tank conditions. Tissue culture plants may temporarily melt during transition but will regrow healthy leaves under stable care.
- Never release aquarium plants into natural waterways.
At a glance
- Free shipping on orders of $150 or more (after discounts) within the contiguous United States, by USPS.
- Free thermal protection is included with every shipment, all year round.
- Processing: most orders leave us within 1 to 2 business days. Tracking is emailed when your order ships.
- USPS (2 to 5 business days) ships Monday through Saturday.
- UPS 2nd Day Air® ships Monday through Wednesday. Order by Tuesday at 6:00 AM Pacific Time for same-week delivery.
- UPS Next Day Air® ships Monday through Thursday. Order by Wednesday at 6:00 AM Pacific Time for same-week delivery.
- Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands and military addresses ship by USPS at a flat rate shown at checkout.
- Weather holds: during extreme heat or cold we may hold live orders until it's safe to ship.
- We ship within the United States only.
Please bring live plants indoors and unpack them the day they arrive. Every live order is covered by our 24-Hour Live Arrival Guarantee.
The complete rules, including lost packages and address issues, are in our Shipping Policy. If anything conflicts, that policy applies.
Every live order is backed by our 24-Hour Live Arrival Guarantee. If a plant arrives dead, we'll make it right.
How it works
- Tell us within 24 hours of the delivery time on your tracking.
- Send photos of the affected items in their original, unopened packaging, plus a photo of the shipping label, to hello@aquariumplantsfactory.com with your order number.
- We'll make it right with a replacement, store credit or refund for the affected item.
Good to know
- Some melting or yellowing as plants adjust from greenhouse to aquarium life is normal. They regrow from healthy roots and rhizomes.
- Please bring your package indoors and unpack it the day it arrives.
- Free promotional items and shipping charges are not covered.
The complete rules, including what's covered and what voids the guarantee, are in our Returns, Refunds & Live Arrival Guarantee. If anything conflicts, that policy applies.
Please review your state's regulations on restricted plants, as we are committed to not shipping plants that are restricted in your area. Do not release any plants into the wild or waterways, as this can harm local ecosystems by introducing invasive species.
Your cooperation in protecting the environment is appreciated. For continuously updated information, refer to the USDA State Noxious Weed list here.
Thank you for your responsible commitment to environmental preservation.
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