Rotala Bonsai

Quick facts

Identity

Also known as

Ammannia Bonsai; Rotala indica Bonsai

Synonyms

Mayaca rosa (trade misnomer); possibly Rotala rotundifolia x R. wallichii hybrid

Environment

Freshwater

Native to

Taiwan

Habitat

Freshwater streams and hillside lakes in southern Taiwan near Nanjenshan, exact wild habitat poorly documented

Sourcing

Captive-bred

Conservation

Not Evaluated

Care

Care level

Moderate

Growth form

Stem

Max height

4 – 20 in (10 – 51 cm)

Spread

4 in (10 cm)

Growth rate

Fast

Placement

Midground, Background

Water

Temperature

68 – 82 °F (20 – 28 °C)

pH

6.0 – 7.0

GH

2 – 12 dGH

Flow

Low-Moderate

Light

Medium

CO₂

Beneficial

Planting

Substrate

Any

Feeds from

Both

Fertilizer needs

Medium

Colors

Green, Pink, Red

Feeding & breeding

Propagation

Cuttings

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Care guide

Overview

Reaching only 4-8 inches, Rotala Bonsai grows as thick, rigid upright stems with rounded, fleshy leaves that branch into a compact, tree-like silhouette. Crown tips take on reddish-orange color under medium to high light with CO2. A rare dwarf stem plant propagated from cuttings, suited to aquascapes wanting a miniature tree effect.

Care

A fine-leaved stem plant believed to be a natural hybrid between Rotala rotundifolia and Rotala wallichii, combining an easier growth habit with delicate needle-like whorled foliage. It tolerates a range of substrates and water chemistry, doing best in soft to moderately hard, slightly acidic to neutral water, and adapts to both low-tech and CO2-injected setups though growth and color improve markedly with supplemental CO2. Regular trimming keeps the tall stems bushy and prevents lower leaves from thinning out under insufficient light.

Planting & trimming

Plant stems individually in the substrate with a few centimeters of spacing so light reaches all growth points; dense clumping causes inner stems to shade out and die back. Top cuttings can be trimmed and replanted every few weeks to maintain a dense bushy backdrop, and can also be grown emersed in a humid terrarium where it forms a shorter, denser, moss-like mat.

Fertilizing

Responds well to iron-rich liquid fertilizers, which help intensify the reddish tint on the growing tips. Nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus supplementation supports the fast growth rate typical of this plant. Yellowing leaves or pale lower stems usually indicate a nutrient deficiency rather than disease, most often light or iron related.

Propagation

Propagated by cutting healthy stem tips and replanting them directly into the substrate, where they root readily and branch into new bushy growth within a few weeks.

Problems

The most frequent issue is algae fouling the fine leaves, generally caused by excess light relative to available nutrients or weak flow. Some stem and leaf loss can occur shortly after planting as the plant converts from emersed nursery growth to submersed form, and dead material should be removed promptly. Given adequate light it is less prone to melting than many other Rotala species.

Sources

1. Rotala 'Nanjenshan' - ABC Plants
2. Rotala sp. 'Nanjenshan' | Zoo Roco
3. Rotala Nanjenshan Care Guide | Melbourne Tropical
4. Family Name: Lythraceae (Rotala Nanjenshan) Care Guide

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