Rotala Macrandra

Quick facts

Identity

Also known as

Giant Rotala

Synonyms

Rotala macrandra Koehne

Environment

Freshwater

Native to

India, Sri Lanka

Habitat

Marshes, paddy fields, and slow-moving streams in warm, shallow, nutrient-rich water

Sourcing

Aquacultured

Conservation

Not Evaluated

Care

Care level

Difficult

Growth form

Stem

Max height

4 – 20 in (10 – 51 cm)

Spread

4 in (10 cm)

Growth rate

Fast

Placement

Midground, Background

Water

Temperature

72 – 82 °F (22 – 28 °C)

pH

6.0 – 7.0

GH

3 – 8 dGH

dKH

0 – 8 dKH

Flow

Moderate

Light

High

CO₂

Required

Planting

Substrate

Nutrient-rich preferred

Feeds from

Both

Fertilizer needs

High

Colors

Red, Green, Pink, Orange

Feeding & breeding

Propagation

Cuttings

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Care guide

Overview

Pushes upward quickly under bright light, adding new leaf pairs along soft stems that reach toward the surface within weeks of planting. Colour shifts from green to red as phosphate stays high and nitrate is kept moderate. Best suited to established high-tech tanks with steady CO2 and generous stem spacing.

Care

Rotala macrandra is considered one of the more demanding stem plants in the hobby, requiring strong lighting, consistent CO2 injection, and steady nutrient dosing to keep its large, delicate leaves intact. Stems should be spaced well apart so light reaches the lower leaves, since shading quickly leads to leaf loss and a bare base. It is best suited to established, high-tech planted tanks rather than low-maintenance setups, and it responds poorly to fluctuating CO2 or nutrient levels.

Planting & trimming

Plant stem cuttings individually into a nutrient-rich substrate, spacing them generously so light can reach the lower portions of each stem as the group fills in. Strip the lower leaves before inserting the stem to avoid rot, and avoid crushing the soft stems during planting. Regular trimming of the tops and replanting encourages denser, bushier growth and prevents legginess.

Fertilizing

Root feeding matters more for this species than for many other stem plants, and a nutrient-rich substrate or root tabs noticeably improve stem thickness and leaf size. Liquid fertilizer dosing should supply ample phosphate along with iron and micronutrients, while nitrate is often kept on the lower side to encourage deeper red coloration. Signs of insufficient fertilization include thin stems, pale new growth, or melting of the lower leaves despite adequate light.

Propagation

Propagation is done through stem (head) cuttings taken from healthy, actively growing tops. Remove the lower leaves from the cut section, then replant directly into the substrate where roots will form at the nodes within a week or two. Regular pruning of the mother plant both propagates new stems and keeps the display compact.

Problems

Lower leaves are prone to melting when light is insufficient or when the plant is shaded by taller neighbors, so periodic trimming and replanting of healthy tops helps maintain a full stand. New plantings often shed a few leaves before adapting to submersed conditions, which is normal and not a sign of failure. Algae can settle on the fine leaf hairs if flow and nutrient balance are poor, so stable water parameters and good circulation are important.

Sources

1. Rotala macrandra - Giant Red Rotala - Flowgrow Aquatic Plant Database
2. How to grow Rotala macrandra & its varietals – The 2Hr Aquarist
3. Rotala Macrandra Care Guide – Planting, Growing, and Propagation - Shrimp and Snail Breeder
4. Rotala macrandra Care Guide: Growth, Propagation, and Aquarium Setup

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