Lobelia cardinalis 'Kleine Form'

It differs from the ordinary cardinal plant in its round, coin-shaped leaves and much smaller size — slow upward growth suited to aquariums that do not get frequent upkeep.

It asks for little besides adequate light (around 0.5 W/l). For the best size, colour and growth rate, CO₂ is essential, and it also needs feeding with macro- and micronutrients (nitrate 10–20 mg/l, phosphate 1–2 mg/l). With good nutrition, CO₂ and light it grows bushy and green and produces many daughter plants, which are cut off and planted separately; the roots at the internodes are hidden by dense foliage and side shoots. With too little light and nutrients it grows leggy and loses its shape, with few side shoots — propagation becomes hard. Light medium to strong, CO₂ 10–40 mg/l, temperature 22–26 °C.

Ideal for the midground; in large aquariums it is an easy foreground plant, including in a group. In Dutch-style layouts it makes diagonal rising 'streets' that liven up an otherwise static composition.

The true form is distributed by only one nursery in Singapore.