Cardinal Plant (Lobelia Cardinalis Gigantea)
- Low stock - 1 item left
- Fast shipping
- All Plants are submerged growth
- Live Arrival Guarantee
This is only apply to live fish order.
What is Our Live Arrival Guarantee?
Benefit from our extensive experience in shipping live fish. In 2021, our records indicated a mere 0.5% dead-on-arrival (DOA) rate for all live fish orders, compared to the industry standard of 1.5%. These numbers translate to only 5 out of 1000 orders experiencing DOA fish.
At Splashy Fish, customer satisfaction is our priority. That's why we provide a 100% Live Arrival Guarantee on all animals shipped via USPS, UPS, or FedEx. Please note - Splashy Fish reserves the right to void Live Arrival Guarantee protection under the following circumstances:
- The customer has chosen USPS First Class Mail as a shipping method.
- The shipping address is a PO Box address
- The order was refused delivery by the customer.
- If the order is returned to the sender for any reason. For instance, an incorrect shipping address, an undeliverable address, etc.
- The order was held for pick up at USPS, UPS, and FedEx offices for longer than 24 hours after the last update on the tracking number.
- The Live Arrival Guarantee claim does not include all the requirements mentioned below
- The Live Arrival Guarantee claim is made after the claim period mentioned below.
- The animals are not in their original packaging
Live Arrival Guarantee Claim Period:
For Live Fish and other invertebrates, one and a half hours (1.5 hours) after the posted delivery time.
For Snails: 48 hours after the posted delivery time.
Steps to claim Splashy Fish's Live Arrival Guarantee:
- Take a picture of the shipping box and the shipping label.
- For live fish and other invertebrates: Please provide two pictures of each bag (containing the dead fish) upon arrival. Ensure the images display the bag in its original, unopened condition with the original rubber band intact
- For Snails: Position the snail in one corner of the tank. If the snail does not move within 48 hours, please take several pictures of the snail's opening
- Send an email to DOA@splashyfishstore.com with the subject line: DOA and Your Order Number, or message us on social media.
- In the body of the email, include your tracking number.
- The claim must be sent within the claim period mentioned above.
After submitting the required information, please allow us 1-3 business days to determine the cause of the issue. If the claim is valid and approved by our team, you will
- Receive a store credit for future purchases, excluding the shipping cost, of the dead-on-arrival fish
If the Live Arrival Guarantee claim does not meet all listed requirements, Splashy Fish reserves the right to reject it.
Shipping live animals and plants is a complex process, and temperature plays a crucial role in ensuring the safe and secure delivery of your order.
If the highest daytime temperature in your location and the lowest nighttime temperature here in Springfield, Virginia—where our facility is situated—fall below 40°F or exceed 90°F, we will proactively delay your order. This measure is taken to prioritize the well-being of the animals and plants.
For the safety of our living cargo and to protect your investment, we retain the right to suspend shipping as necessary due to extreme weather conditions. Our Splashy Fish team will assess the situation and determine if it is unsuitable to ship, considering the safety of the animals.
To stay informed or address any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to our dedicated Splashy Fish Support team via email at support@splashyfishstore.com.
Once our team prints and packs your order, we'll notify you via email. This notification will include your tracking number and the expected arrival day. If you opt for UPS 2 Day shipping, your package should arrive within 2 days after shipment. Similarly, if you choose UPS 1 Day, your order will reach you the day after it is shipped. In the case of orders containing only plants or dry goods, they may be shipped via USPS, provided that this is the selected shipping option during checkout.
We ship all of the customer orders from our warehouse located in Springfield, VA. We pack and ship our orders depending on the orders with the exception of someday we cannot ship out live fish.
All Orders: will be shipped out from Monday to Thursday each week for overnight shipping by UPS.
Sunday: (Splashy Day) Today is the day we let our hard-working team members and our fish to destress and ready for the following week's shipment.
For more information regarding about shipping please visit us our Shipping Policy and Schedule
Cardinal Plant (Lobelia cardinalis) is a striking stem plant admired for its vivid green leaves and brilliant red-purple undersides. This dramatic color contrast makes the cardinal plant aquarium plant a standout choice for aquascapers who want bold color without high maintenance.
Native to North America, Lobelia cardinalis grows upright with thick, sturdy stems, making it ideal for midground or background placement in planted aquariums. Under moderate to high lighting, the undersides of the leaves develop deep red tones, adding depth and richness to your aquascape. Hardy and adaptable, the Cardinal Plant thrives in both low-tech and high-tech setups, making it suitable for beginners and experienced hobbyists alike.
At our Splashy Fish tropical fish store, our Cardinal plant for sale and other aquarium plants are carefully selected and packed with love! Visit us to buy them online or at our aquarium store in Virginia for a wide selection of freshwater fish for sale, betta fish for sale, freshwater shrimp for sale, and aquarium supplies.
Why Choose Cardinal Plant?
- Unique red leaf undersides: Adds bold contrast and visual interest.
- Thick, sturdy stems: Maintains a clean, structured aquascape look.
- Hardy and beginner-friendly: Adapts well to a wide range of conditions.
- Color improves with stronger light: Red tones intensify under bright lighting.
- Safe for fish and shrimp: Ideal for community tanks and shrimp aquariums.
- Excellent aquascaping plant: Perfect for Nature-style and Dutch layouts.
How to Plant Cardinal Plant in Your Aquarium
- Rinse the plant gently to remove any gel or debris before planting.
- Trim lower leaves from each stem to expose planting nodes.
- Insert stems 1–2 inches into the substrate using aquascaping tweezers.
- Space stems slightly apart to ensure good light penetration and water flow.
- Trim and replant cuttings to create dense, bushy clusters.
Tip: For the strongest red coloration, provide moderate to high lighting and consistent nutrient dosing. CO₂ is optional but helps improve growth speed and leaf density.
How to Care for Cardinal Plant
- pH: 6.0 – 7.8
- Temperature: 72–82°F (22–28°C)
- Lighting: Moderate to high (25–50 PAR). Brighter light enhances red coloration
- CO₂: Optional. Encourages faster, fuller growth
- Fertilization: Benefits from liquid fertilizers rich in iron and micronutrients
- Placement: Midground or background in freshwater planted aquariums
Cardinal Plant Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can Cardinal plants grow in low-light aquariums?
Yes, Cardinal plants can grow in low-light aquariums, but their appearance will be different. Under low light, Lobelia cardinalis maintains healthy green leaves, while the signature red or purple coloration on the underside of the leaves may be less pronounced. For hobbyists running low-tech tanks, the Cardinal plant is still a reliable option, as it remains hardy and upright even with minimal lighting. To enhance red tones, moderate to higher lighting is recommended.
How often should I fertilize the Cardinal plant?
For best results, fertilize the Cardinal plant once or twice per week using a quality liquid aquarium fertilizer that contains iron and trace minerals. Regular fertilization supports steady growth, stronger stems, and deeper coloration. If planted in nutrient-poor substrate, adding root tabs every 1–2 months can further improve plant health.
Is Cardinal plant good for beginners?
Yes, the Cardinal plant is very beginner-friendly. It’s a hardy freshwater aquarium plant that adapts well to a wide range of water conditions and does not require CO₂ to survive. Its sturdy stems, slower growth rate, and tolerance for low to moderate lighting make it an excellent choice for new aquarists.
