Rotala Mexicana

Quick facts

Identity

Also known as

Mexican Rotala; Goias Rotala

Synonyms

Rotala pusilla; Rotala sp. 'Goias'; Rotala mexicana 'Goias'; Rotala mexicana 'Araguaia'

Environment

Freshwater

Native to

Brazil, tropical South America, Central America, western Africa, Australia, Japan

Habitat

Seasonally wet ground, rice paddies, and pond and stream margins across tropical and subtropical regions; grows both emersed and submersed.

Sourcing

Aquacultured

Conservation

Not Evaluated

Care

Care level

Moderate

Growth form

Stem

Max height

2 – 5 in (5.1 – 13 cm)

Spread

4 in (10 cm)

Growth rate

Fast

Placement

Foreground, Midground

Water

Temperature

72 – 82 °F (22 – 28 °C)

pH

4.5 – 7.0

dKH

0 – 7 dKH

Flow

Low-Moderate

Light

High

CO₂

Required

Planting

Substrate

Nutrient-rich preferred

Feeds from

Both

Fertilizer needs

High

Colors

Green, Red, Orange, Pink

Feeding & breeding

Propagation

Cuttings, Runners

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Care guide

Overview

Found across tropical wetlands, rice paddies and pond margins from Brazil to Africa and Japan, this stem plant transitions from rounded emersed leaves to fine needle-like submerged foliage on reddish stems. Under strong light and injected CO2 it forms dense low bushes in orange, pink and salmon tones. It demands consistent high-tech care and iron dosing, making it unsuitable for beginner or low-tech tanks.

Care

Success with this stem plant hinges on keeping conditions consistently high-tech: strong lighting, injected CO2, and a full macro/micro fertilizing regimen. Under those conditions it forms dense, low, needle-leaved bushes that color up in shades of orange and pink, but any shortfall in light, carbon, or nutrients quickly leads to blackened tips and stalled growth. It is not a forgiving choice for low-tech or beginner setups despite its diminutive size.

Planting & trimming

Strip the lower inch of foliage from each cutting and use fine-tipped pinsettes to push stems an inch or two into the substrate, spacing them closely for a dense carpet-like or bushy effect. It can be grown emersed for a paludarium or grown-out prior to submersion, and trimming tops once they near the water surface keeps the lower stems from being shaded out. Replant trimmed tops to thicken the group over time.

Fertilizing

Plant in a nutrient-rich substrate or supplement with root tabs, since the fine root system benefits from steady access to iron and trace elements. Regular liquid fertilizer dosing that includes iron is important for maintaining the reddish-orange coloration; pale or yellowing new growth usually signals an iron or nitrogen deficiency. Potassium and phosphate should also be kept in adequate supply to avoid stunted, weak stems.

Propagation

Propagates readily from stem cuttings: trim the growing tip once it reaches a suitable height and replant it directly into the substrate to root. Runners can also spread the plant laterally along the substrate surface in dense, well-lit setups.

Problems

Insufficient light or CO2 commonly causes blackening of lower leaves and general melt shortly after planting or trimming. Because the foliage is delicate and thin, rough handling during planting can shred leaves, though the plant recovers quickly once established. Algae can accumulate on the fine leaves in tanks with excess nutrients relative to light and CO2, so parameters should be kept balanced.

Sources

1. Rotala mexicana 'Goiás' - Flowgrow Aquatic Plant Database
2. Rotala pusilla (Rotala mexicana) Aquatic Plant Care | Atlarium
3. Rotala Mexicana (Mexican Rotala) - Stem Plant — Buce Plant
4. Rotala pusilla care: light, CO2 and placement · TankBud

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